. Our native songsters . anery,at Wells, in Somersetshire; and Mr. Yarrell hasremarked that the resemblance of tlie steeple-crowned stone edifices of Cambridge, and of theDeanery, to the pointed and elevated rocks oftheir own peculiar haunts, may probably liavebeen the attraction to the birds in both the loca-lities referred to. Flocks of little birds may be seen in March,which will, as sprinf:: advances, fill our now almostsilent woodlands with melodies. Among the ear-liest of our spring arrivals is the Chiff-chafi,* or,as it is often called, Chip-chap {S>/hia hippoJais).If its song is not
. Our native songsters . anery,at Wells, in Somersetshire; and Mr. Yarrell hasremarked that the resemblance of tlie steeple-crowned stone edifices of Cambridge, and of theDeanery, to the pointed and elevated rocks oftheir own peculiar haunts, may probably liavebeen the attraction to the birds in both the loca-lities referred to. Flocks of little birds may be seen in March,which will, as sprinf:: advances, fill our now almostsilent woodlands with melodies. Among the ear-liest of our spring arrivals is the Chiff-chafi,* or,as it is often called, Chip-chap {S>/hia hippoJais).If its song is not remarkable for variety or rich-ness, yet it is pleasing, because it reminds us thatthe singing birds which have sought in winter fora more congenial climate, are now coming backto their old haunts; and the notes which would * The Chiff-chaff is four inches and thi-ee quarters in upper parts ashy brown ; lower parts dull brownish white,tinged with yellow; a pale streak over each eye; beak and feetdark THE 71 liardly attract us amid the full chorus of song,are welcome now that song is scarce. This song issometimes sung as early as the middle of March,and towards the end of that month is the summer it is to be heard at intervals, andthe hardy little bird lingers with us in some yearstill late in October, coming in company with thetitmice and crested wren, to the gardens or fir plan-tations, and uttering its cheering notes often formany hours together, for some days previous to itsdepartmc. Sometimes this bird sings on the wing,as it darts across the garden path in search ofinsects, and at others it utters its strain from thehigli branches of the trees of those shady woods andtliickets which it loves to haunt. Large gardens,too, furnish a favourite resort to the chilf-chafF,where it is most persevering in spring in clearingthe aphides off the honeysuckles, rose-trees, andother bushes. And Avhen in the latter part ofMarch the golden ba
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1853
