COMMON WHITETHEOAT. 129 



and branches. To the unobservant individnal, whose 

 *^ British ornithology" is pretty nearly restricted to the 

 robin^ the sparrow, the rook, and the swallow, (the latter, 

 of course, including the martin as well), the power of 

 recognising a variety of forms, by gait, by flight, by par- 

 ticular distribution of colour, such as a white barred wing 

 or tail covert, seen but for an instant, yet recognised at 

 once, — are matters inexplicable ; yet these to the true 

 naturalist form the freemasonry of his craft, and 

 strange is that sort of instinctive feeling which tells 

 him when a strange form has crossed his path, and 

 assures the observer that the object seen, however 

 briefly, is something altogether new to his experience. 

 To acquire this habit of quick recognition, I know no 

 better plan than that which I have adopted from boy- 

 hood, of always endeavouring to identify satisfactorily, 

 whilst driving or riding, the birds presented in quick 

 succession to the eye upon the trees or fences ; and in 

 travelling also by rail, the eye may be accustomed in the 

 same manner to detect not only partridges on the 

 stubbles, or wood pigeons in the turnips, but many 

 smaller and less easily distinguished species, by their 

 flight and actions, when disturbed by the train or 

 whilst settling again in the adjoining fields. 



CURRUCA SYLVIELLA (Latham). 



LESSER WHITETHROAT. 



This less numerous species is a regular spring 

 visitant, and breeds in Norfolk, appearing in April 

 and leaving in September, but, though generally dis- 

 persed, is decidedly local in its haunts. Mr. Dix 

 has kindly sent me specimens from West Harling, 

 and I have seen its eggs from various localities, but 

 s 



