WHINCHAT AND WHITETHROAT 117 



Voice. — A low warbling song, uttered with great persistency. Call, 

 " utac-tac-tac-tac ; " also " chee-tic, chee-tic-tic-tic." 



Chief Features. — A Summer Migrant, arriving from Northern Africa 

 about the middle to end of April. A solitary species; returns 

 to the same haunt year after year. Notice the prominent 

 white stripe over the eye. 



Plumage. — Above dusky-brown, with reddish-yellow edgings; over 

 eye broad white stripe ■ white on throat and neck sides ; bright 

 yellowish-red on neck and breast; on wings and at base of tail 

 a large white spot; dusky-brown on tip of tail and two centre 

 feathers; yellowish- white belly and flanks. Female duller and 

 white wing spot smaller. Length. — Five inches and a quarter. 



WHITETHROAT, GREATER (Sylvia cinerea) 



Local Names. — Beardie, Bee Bird, Billy, Blethering Tam, Charlie 

 Miftie, Churn, Common Whitethroat, Hay Chat, Hay Tit, Jack- 

 Straw, Megg Cut-Throat, Muff, Muffit, Muftie, Muggy, Nettle- 

 creeper, Nettlemonger, Peggy Whitethroat, Singing Skyrocket, 

 Strawsmeer, Whantie, Wheetie, Wheetie-Why Bird, Whiskey, 

 Whitecap, White Lintie, White-Throated Warbler, White Wren. 



Haunt. — Hedgerows, copses, gardens, etc. 



Nesting Period. — May to July. 



Site of Nest. — Bushes, nettles, bank-sides, 

 etc. ; usually low down. 



Materials Used. — Fine grass, lined with 

 hair. 



Eggs. — Five or Six. Greenish - yellow, 

 marked with darker shades. 



Food. — Small larvae and a little fruit. 



Voice. — A harsh, impetuous song; notes 

 thin and screechy. Call, " tyce," 

 " ten," or " trr " (harsh); alarm, 

 " wick-a-wick." 



Chief Features. — A common Summer 

 Migrant, arriving about mid-April. 



An active little bird, and may be observed fluttering over a 

 hedgerow or bush and singing impetuously. Utters a scolding 

 note of defiance; raises feathers of head excitedly; slips off 

 nest very quietly. 



Plumage. — Ash-grey head, with brown tinge; remainder of upper 

 plumage reddish-brown; dusky wings, with red edging on 

 coverts; white underneath, tinged faintly with rose; dark- 

 brown tail, white on tips of outer feathers and outer web, the 

 next tipped only with white. Female lacks rosy tint on breast. 

 Length. — Five and a half inches. 



Greater Whitethroat, 



