A dictionary of British birds : reprinted from Montagu's Ornithological dictionary, and incorporating the additional species described by Selby; Yarrell, in all three editions, and in natural-history journals / compiled and edited by Edward Newman.

George Montagu

Date:: 1866

Credit: A dictionary of British birds : reprinted from Montagu's Ornithological dictionary, and incorporating the additional species described by Selby; Yarrell, in all three editions, and in natural-history journals / compiled and edited by Edward Newman. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$Wi{EN. constructed of dry grass, a few dead leaves, and a little moss; and invariably lined with finer gross and a few long hairs. The other species always line their nests with feathers. The eggs are six in num- ber, white, sprinkled all over with purplish spots. In some these markings are con- fluent, inclining to rust-colour; their weight from eighteen to twenty-two grains. This is not an uncommon species, having met with it in most parts of the South of England and Wtdes, and as far westward as Cornwall. It seems poi’tial to oak and beech woods, where it may be found by its singular note, which seems to express the word “ twee,” drawn out to some length, and repeated five or six times successively, terminating with the same notes delivered in a hurried manner, at which time it shakes its wings. This seems to be the- ex- tent of its song, the latter part of which is chiefly left out after the breeding season. It is also found in Germany, where it is likewise a migrative bird. Dr. Beckstein describes it in the 27th volume of ‘ Natur- forscher,’ under the title Der Laubrog- elchen (Little Leaf-bird). In the Leverian Museum, case No. 271, we observed it in- scribed Green Wren. Supplement. — This species of Warbler appears to be found occasionally in most parts of Great Britain, in situations con- genial to its habits. ^ Wren, Yellow.— [Yarrell, i. 351, under name of Willow Warbler; HewUson,xxx.\i. 137.] Motacilla Trochilus, Lin. Syst. 1. p. 338, 40; Gmel. Syst. ii. p. 995. Syl- via Trochilus, Ind. Orn. ii. p. 550, 155; Lath. Syn. Sup. ii. p. 238; Nat. Miscel. t. 189. Asilus, Small Yellow Bird, Bris. iii. p. 479,45; Ih. 8vo, i. p. 441; Raii Syn. p. 80, A. 10 ; Will. p. 104 ; lb. Angl. p. 228. Le Pouillot, Buf. V. p. 344. Yellow IVren, Br. Zool. i. No. 151; Ih. fol. 101, t. S. f. 2, S. 2, f. 1; Arct. Zool. ii. No. 319; White, Hist. Sell. pp. 28, 55; Hayes, Br. Birds, t. 38; Lath. Syn. iv. p. 512, 147; Don. Br. Birds, i. t. 14 ; Leioin, Br. Birds, iii. t. 113; Pult. Cat. Dorset, p. 9. Vak. : Mo- tacilla acredula, Lin. Syst, i. p. 338, 49, Ficedula Carolinensis, Bris. iii. p. 480, 48; Ib. 8vo, i. p. 443. OUnanthe fusco-lutea minor, Raii Syn. p. 180, 39. Le Eiquier brun et jaune, Buf. v. p. 205. Yellow Wren, Edio. t. 278, f. 2. Scotch Wren, Br. Zool. ii. No. 152; Arct. Zool. ii. p. 420, N.; Ib. Sup. p. 04 ; Lath. Syn. iv. p. 513. Provincial; Willow Wren ; Ground Wren ; Ground Huckmuck.—This species weighs about two fhmns and three-quar- ters ; length five inches and a quarter. The bill is dusky above, yellowish beneath; irides hazel. The whole upper parts of the plumage are of a greenish yellow- ' brown ; the under parts are white, tinged with yellow ; on the breast ai’e a few yel- low streaks; quills dusky brown, edged with yellow; coverts yellow, thighs the same; tail like the quills, slightly edged the same; over the eye a faint yellowish stroke ; legs light brown. This is a plen- tiful species in some parts. Frequents wooded and enclosed situations, especially where willows abound. Is frequently found with the Wood Wren, but does not extend so far to the west in England, as it is rarely met with in Cornwall. It comes to us eaily in April, and soon begins its usual song, which is short, with Uttlo variety. About the latter end of the same month, or beginning of May, it makes a nest of an oval shape, wdth a small open- ing near the top, composed of moss and dried grass, and lined with feathers. This is placed in the hollow of a ditch, or in a low bush close to the ground. The eggs are six or seven in number, white, spotted with light rust-colour towards the larger end; others are sprinkled all over; their weight sixteen or eighteen grains. The plumage of this bird is so like that of the Lesser Pettychaps that, were it not for its superior size, it would be scarcely dis- tinguishable. The colour of the legs, how- ever, is an unerring mark of distinction. It has also been frequently confounded with the Wood Wren ; but each have their essential characters; we therefore rel'er our readers for further paiticulars to those species. The egg of this bird is readily distinguished from that of the Lesser Pet- tychaps, the spots in this being of a rust- colour, those in the other invariably dark purple. Supplement.—It has been asserted that this is the smallest of the European birds, the Golden-crested Wren excepted; but this is a part of the general confusion be- tween several of these little yellow species. In fact it is considerably larger than the Lesser Pettychaps, and equal in size to the Wood Wren, which has been improperly called the largest Y''ellow Wren, when in truth they are both of equal weight and length. On the contrary, the Lesser Pet- tychaps is full one-fifth less weight than either of the others, being only about two drams, the others two drams and a half: the length four inches and a half; the others measure about five inches and a quarter. AVe repeat this in order to clear up as fur as possible the confusion in these birds. The Yellow AVren rarely, if ever, precedes the Lesser Pettychaps in its ver- nal migration, but does so usually in its autumnal ; indeed the latter has been I known to remain with us the whole ; winter, the other never.$