THE LESSER WHITETHROAT 45 



of Spain, but the usual haunts are in North Africa 

 from the Desert to within about ten degrees of the 

 equator. Two very closely allied species are found 

 in Asia, 



The Lesser Whitethroat undertakes its migrations 

 about the same time as the preceding species, 

 arriving in its English haunts during the last half 

 of April or the beginning of May. In its habits, 

 and the haunts which it frequents, the Lesser White- 

 throat very closely resembles the Garden Warbler. 

 It has the same retiring skulking ways, shunning 

 observation and passing most of its time amongst 

 the sheltering foliage ; it resorts to similar cover, 

 hedgerows, thickets (especially near to water), large 

 gardens, shrubberies, and coverts, where it has a 

 habit, not so noticeable in the Common White- 

 throat, of frequenting the taller trees, and the 

 higher hedges. The partiality of this bird for 

 dense cover, combined with its unobtrusive song, 

 causes it to be much overlooked even in localities 

 where it is fairly common. It has the same 

 secretive ways as the rest of its allies, hopping 

 very quickly and stealthily from twig to twig 

 through the tangled thickets, the trembling of a 

 branch here and there, or the occasional harsh 

 call-note, being the only indications of its presence. 

 If observed in more open places, which happens 

 less frequently, the Lesser Whitethroat will be 

 found to resemble in its actions nearly allied birds. 



