492 



PKRCHINCx lURUS 



to that of its cousin, extending northwards of the Arctic Circle within 

 the limits of the forest-zone, but bounded to the east by Asia Minor 

 and Palestine. In winter some individuals sojourn in the south of 

 Spain, but the majorit\- migrate to Africa, where, however, they remain 

 in the northern provinces, instead of travellini^ b\' the Nile valle\- route 

 to the south of the continent like the true whitethroat. In the British 

 Islands the species has a more restricted range than the latter, being 

 scarce in the northern counties of England, and still more so in Scotland, 

 where, howe\-er, it has been known to breed locall}-. To the northern 



islands it is only a rare straggler, 

 jMWHHHynr m m-MmH^ , l^^l- j^ ^^.^^ observed in Orkney on 



HP ^^ W '^ and 1 896. Up to the end of 



^^ ' ^ last century only two instances, 



one in i 890 and the other nine 

 years later, of the occurrence of 

 this warbler in Ireland were re- 

 corded ; both instances being 

 during the autumn -migration, 

 when the birds were taken at 

 lighthouses. 



Arriving somewhat later than 

 the whitethroat, this species is a 

 shy, retiring bird, much less in 

 evidence than the latter, but 

 otherwise with nearly the same 

 habits, although it is oftener seen 

 on trees. The nest, too, although 

 shallower, is very similar in 

 structure to that of the larger species, and is placed in similar 

 situations ; while the number of eggs in a clutch (four to si.x) is also 

 the same in the two species. The general t}'pe of colouring of the 

 eggs likewise approximates to that of the whitethroat ; but in the 

 present species the ground-colour is porcelain-white, upon which are 

 greenish or pale brown spots, and underlj'ing violet-grey blotches and 

 spots arranged in a ring round the larger end. In addition to a feeble 

 and monotonous .song, the les.ser whitethroat, like other warblers, utters 

 when alarmed a loud, grating note. 



The barred warbler {Sylvia nisorin), which takes its name from the 

 barring of the plumage of both the upper and under parts, and is 

 distingui.shed from all other members of the group by having both 



I.KSSKK WIHTKTIIKOAT. 



