Birds of Britain 



attention. For the rest of the summer these birds may be 

 found in small parties in woods, fields, furze, commons, or 

 hedgerows, wherever cover is to be obtained, feeding on 

 caterpillars, flies, and insects, of which there is an abundance 

 at that time of year. In July and August they renew 

 their worn plumage and become extremely fat, and then 

 when the September equinox warns them that the best of 

 the summer is past, they go southwards to the shores of the 

 Mediterranean and to Africa, there to pass the winter till 

 returning spring once more prompts them to risk the perils 

 of the journey and to revisit their summer home. 



The male has the head and neck dark grey, mantle and 

 wings brown with broad rufous edges to the secondaries. 

 Tail feathers brown, except the outer pair that are white 

 and the next pair that are tipped with white. Under parts 

 white, fading to pale vinous on the breast and flanks. The 

 female is duller and has the head brown ; the young are 

 rather more tawny. Length 5*5 in. ; wing 2*8 in. 



This bird is common throughout the United Kingdom 

 except the extreme North of Scotland. 



THE LESSER WHITETHROAT 



Sylvia curruca (Linnseus) 



The Lesser Whitethroat arrives a little later than the 

 preceding species, namely about the end of April, and at 

 once disperses throughout our woods and coppices and sets 

 to work nest-building. The nest is still more fragile than 

 the AVhitethroat's and lacks the lining of horsehair. It is 



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