98 



THE BLUE-THEOATED WARBLER 



PH(ENICURA SUECICA. 



Upper parts ash-brown ; throat and neck azure-blue, with a central white spot, 

 beneath the blue a black border, then a narrow white band, succeeded by a 

 broader band of red ; under parts white ; basal half of the tail rust-colour, the 

 other half black ; length, six inches. Eggs uniform greenish blue. 



So very few specimens of this bird (three or four) have 

 been observed in England, that to describe its habits it is 

 necessary to refer to continental authors, who pronounce 

 it to be the most beautiful of all the Warblers. It takes 

 its name from a magnificent bright blue escutcheon on its 

 breast, the centre of which is marked by a disk of pure 

 white. The plumage undergoes great modifications with age. 

 The white disk seems to be a distinctive character of young 

 birds, as it disappears with age. The orange-red border 

 of the escutcheon encroaches on the white and black 

 after each moult, and finally absorbs them. This Warbler, 

 in the movement and colour of its tail, as well as in habits, 

 resembles the Redstarts more than the Redbreast. It fre- 

 quents streams and thickets more than the last species. 

 Its favourite resorts are withy-holts and bushy places in 

 the plains, especially in the neighbourhood of ponds and 

 streamlets. It constructs its nest in hollow willows, and 

 under roots. It leads mostly a solitary life, and attracts 

 little notice. Its song is sweet, but low. Its food consists 

 of insects, and in the autumn of berries, especially black- 

 berries. It would seem to be abundant in many parts of 

 the Continent, as it is said to make a " delicious roast." 

 It is a migratory bird, arriving in Europe from the south 

 early in spring, and though rarely visiting Britain, it 

 penetrates as far as the north of Russia, Finland, Lapland, 

 and Sweden. 



