FOR CA GES A ND A VIA RIES. 2 2 5 



It cannot bear to hear another bird sing louder than 

 itself, and should it do so, a regular and most amusing 

 contest immediately ensues. 



The Lesser Whitethroat. 



This bird bears a general resemblance to the Greater 

 Whitethroat, though, as its name denotes, it is a smaller 

 bird, and especially one of much slimmer build : it measures 

 about 5 inches in length, 2f inches of which belong to 

 the tail. The upper part of the body is grey, with a reddish- 

 olive tinge, and the under parts are similar, but of a lighter 

 shade, not white. 



The sexes are pretty much alike in outward appearance, 

 but the female is if anything a trifle paler in colour than 

 her mate. Like the Greater Whitethroat, it is a migratory 

 species, arriving and departing about the same times. 



It feeds on small caterpillars chiefly, and in the house 

 must have a free supply of ants' eggs, maggots and aphides. 

 It will also partake of fruit, and does not confine its 

 attention to small berries, but attacks cherries and peaches 

 and apricots, too, where they are grown out of doors. 

 In the house it has been attempted to keep it on artificial 

 food, but not with much success, for it seems incapable of 

 digesting bread and milk or Crissel, or any of the prepared 

 foods so much vaunted by dealers, the bulk of which 

 consists of pea-meal more or less finely ground. 



The nest is placed in a hedge or low bush, and is 

 intermediate as regards solidity between that of the 

 Blackcap and the Greater Whitethroat. The eggs are four 

 or five in number, of a yellowish-white spotted with grey 

 and brown. The young, like those of the Greater White- 

 throat, will on being looked at jump from their nest long 

 before they are fledged. 



The Lesser Whitethroat is a lively and active little bird 

 that has a very agreeable pretty chirping song, which it 

 utters all day long, even when feeding, or rather when 

 seeking for food. It does very well in a garden aviary, 

 but must of course be taken indoors before the cold sets in. 



