n8 BRITISH NESTING BIRDS 



WHITETHROAT, LESSER (Sylvia curruca) 



Local Names. — Babillard, Brake Nightingale, Hay-Jack, Jack-Straw, 

 White-Breasted Warbler. 



Haunt. — Woods, copses, hedgerows, and gardens. 



Nesting Period. — May to July. 



Site of Nest. — Hedges, bushes, etc. Nest is placed higher than that 

 of Greater Whitethroat, and is deeper. 



Materials Used. — Fine grass, spiders' webs, stalks of plants, hair, 

 and roots. 



Eggs. — Four or Five. White, marked with ash and light brown. 



Food. — Small larvae and green fly, also fruit. 



Voice. — A succession of hurried notes, mostly in one strain. Call, 

 " check," and a harsh " teck." 



Chief Features. — To be distinguished by smaller size than the 

 Greater species, and is much shyer. A common species, and 

 often overlooked. Appears to be increasing its range Arrives 

 from Winter quarters about middle of April. A Summer Migrant. 



Plumage. — Smoky-grey head, neck, and back; almost black on ear- 

 coverts; brown on wings, with grey edges; dusky tail, outer 

 feathers as in Greater species, the two following with white 

 tips; almost pure white on lower parts; lead-colour feet. 

 Length. — Five and a quarter inches. 



WIGEON (Mareca penelope) 



Local Names. — Bald Pate, Common Wigeon, Easterling, Pandled 

 Whew, Pundle, Whew Duck, Whewer, Whim. 



Haunt. — Lakes, swampy places, saltings, etc. 



Nesting Period. — May. 



Site of Nest. — Among rushes, etc. 



Materials Used. — Dead water plants, lined with sooty-brown down. 



Eggs. — Five to Nine. Creamy-white; 2.50 by 1.50 inches. 



Food. — Tender parts of plants, insects, etc. 



Voice. — Call, " whew-whew-whew." Male, a shrill and clear " pipe " 

 when alone, soft and little repeated in company; female, a loud 

 and long " purre " when alone, also a shrill " whistle." 



Chief Features. — A fine bird upon the wing, especially when a com- 

 pany come swinging in from sea. A very handsome Duck; 

 docile ; a good swimmer. Female covers eggs before leaving nest. 



Plumage. — Dull-blue bill; cream-white forehead and crown; chest- 

 nut chin, neck, and throat; cheeks and hind neck spotted 

 minutely with dark green; white breast; grey underneath, 

 dark-grey pencil markings on flanks; vermiculated grey mantle ; 



