iili 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



SYLVIA. 



Cinerert (Lat. a*hy), the Whitethroat. 



The pretty little WHITETHROAT is one of the migratory 

 birds, remaining with us during the summer. Few copses 

 are without the singular and pleasing song of the Whitethroat. 

 It derives its name from the white colour of its throat and 

 abdomen, which renders it a conspicuous bird. Its curious 

 habit of flying upwards from its perch, and again descending 

 on the same spot, immediately points it out. 



It builds a small nest, mostly among brambles or on a 

 stump densely covered with weeds. The eggs are five in 

 number a greyish white thickly spotted with brown. The 

 length of the bird is not quite six inches. 



The BLACKCAP, almost a rival to the nightingale, is at once 

 recognised by the black colour of the crown of the head. 

 Only the males, however, are thus decorated, the crown of 

 the head of the female being dark brown. Its sweet notes 

 are poured forth from the concealment of some thicket or 

 tuft of trees, where it trusts to the density of the foliage to 

 elude discovery. Like the mocking-bird of America, it can 

 imitate the songs of other birds with such perfect inflection 

 that it is almost impossible to detect the imposture. 



Among bushes and brambles it builds its nest, which is 

 made of dried grass, moss, and hairs. The eggs are five in 



