46 OUR FAVOURITE SONG BIRDS 



It is in the habit of carefully searching the foliage 

 for insects ; and when doing so in the loftier trees 

 may be seen to flutter for a moment at the extremity 

 of a twig as it subjects each leaf to piercing scrutiny. 

 Now and then even, Flycatcher like, it starts into 

 the air in chase of a passing fly, and the sharp 

 click of the bill may be heard as it closes upon 

 the unfortunate insect. The call-note of this White- 

 throat is a shrill tec; the bird has also a harsh scold- 

 ing note, very similar to that uttered by allied birds, 

 when alarmed or chased. 



The vocal powers of the Lesser Whitethroat can 

 scarcely be described as of a very high order. The 

 first part of the short and to some extent monoto- 

 nous song is certainly the best, but the promise of the 

 opening strains is not continued, and they soon pass 

 into little more than a trill. This song is uttered 

 rather persistently, especially during the first few 

 weeks of the bird's sojourn in our area, but begins to 

 decline at the close of June, and ceases altogether 

 in July. This Whitethroat may also be heard occa- 

 sionally to warble whilst fluttering in the air, and 

 still more rarely to sing at night. Some birds take a 

 perfect delight in seeking an exposed perching place 

 from which to sing ; but the Lesser Whitethroat 

 courts seclusion and a shady place to indulge in song. 

 As this is neither loud nor very attractive, the poor 

 little singer is often overlooked and his vocal efforts 

 disregarded. 



