354 SYLVIA CINEREA. 



notes, which it emits at intervals. Were it not for this habit, 

 it would be difficult to discover it, for, although it allows a per- 

 son to approach very near, it flits incessantly and with extreme 

 agility among the twigs, and if pursued, generally keeps on the 

 other side of the hedge, flies off to a short distance, emits its 

 song, sometimes while on wing, more frequently the moment 

 it alights, then glides along, takes flight again, sings, and so 

 continues for a long time. If you follow it to a distance, it 

 returns in the same manner. When not disturbed, it often 

 rises over the hedge or bush, to a height varying from a few 

 feet to several yards, flutters in the air with fitful and fantastic 

 motion, singing all the while, and then drops to its perch. In 

 all its movements, if excited, it keeps the feathers of the head 

 erected, and when singing swells out its throat conspicuously. 

 Even after being shot, you find the feathers of that part stand- 

 ing out more than is usual in birds ; and from this habit is 

 probably derived the familiar names of Muftie or Muffety, or 

 Charlie Muftie, by which it is generally known in Scotland. 

 Its song is heard immediately after its arrival, and in a few 

 days it is seen in pairs. 



" The Whitethroat, Sylvia cinerea," Mr Hepburn writes, 

 " was first seen here in 1838 on the 7th of May. Many of these 

 active birds were sporting about in the very same hedge, in a 

 well sheltered glen, where I first observed the Willow Wren ; 

 their lively notes and animated gestures shewing that they 

 were not fatigued by their long journey to our northern clime ; 

 and the silvery whiteness of their throat and abdomen con- 

 trasting beautifully with the delicate green of the young foliage 

 as they glided along. Every now and then one would start 

 off for a distant part of the hedge, singing all the while, and 

 accompanying its song with curious jerks and gesticulations of 

 the body. When they sing in the hedge they erect the feathers 

 on the occiput, and distend their throat slightly. Although 

 the song is harsh, and may be called displeasing, I love it for 

 variety's sake, and because it contrasts with the wild sweet 

 warble of the Wood and AVillow Wrens, and the soft song of 

 the Swallow, Hirundo rustica. In a few days they were dis- 

 persed over the country. Several pairs breed annually in the 



