THE LESSER WHITETHROAT 

 Sylvia curruca 



The name of this little Warbler is somewhat 

 misleading and inappropriate, for its affinities appear 

 to be more with the Garden Warbler than with the 

 preceding species, as we shall learn during our short 

 survey of its life-history. The visits of the Lesser 

 Whitethroat to our islands are chiefly confined to 

 the southern, central, and eastern counties of 

 England. Throughout the west of England and in 

 Wales it is decidedly rare, although it certainly 

 breeds in South Devon. North of Yorkshire the 

 bird also becomes rare, although we can trace it 

 as a breeding species as far as the valley of the 

 Forth. But one instance of its visiting Ireland 

 (on abnormal migration) has been recorded. The 

 Lesser Whitethroat is found during summer over 

 most parts of Europe, up to, or even slightly 

 beyond, the Arctic Circle, and is also a visitor at 

 that season to Asia Minor and Palestine. It is 

 said that a few remain to winter in the south 



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