Chiff-chaff

Chiff-chaff (Sylvia hippolais), a small species of warbler, of very wide distribution. It is common in the south of Europe, and arrives in Britain in early spring as a summer visitor, but does not reach Scotland. Its general colour is brown; the under parts lighter. It is a very sprightly little bird; but its song consists merely of a frequent repetition of two notes resembling the syllables chiff-chaff. It is also called the Lesser Pettychaps. Phylloscopus tristis is sometimes called the Siberian Chiff-chaff. See WHITETHROAT.