PERCHING BIRDS. 79 
and tail being shaken, the crest prominently raised, and 
his whole appearance being one of excitement. Most 
generally he sang while perched on a spray near the 
top of the tree, but sometimes he would spring up in a 
singular way as if unsuccessfully trying to baiance him- 
self, and then he would hover a few feet above the tree, 
slowly descending to his perch, and all the time singing 
with the utmost rapidity. While thus engaged he ex- 
hibited very little fear, but would allow me to approach 
closely before he moved; but he evidently did so un- 
willingly, not liking to forsake his charge, as the nest 
was placed in a clump of herbaceous plants at the foot 
of the tree. The presence of a cat in the garden was 
always met with loud cries of alarm, and I have seen 
one that belonged to me, who was a noted _ birdcatcher, 
greatly annoyed at these unwelcome attentions, and 
even shrinking with evident fear from the vigorous 
attacks which parental love led the little fellow to make 
on pussy, and in which he seemed quite regardless of 
his own safety. 
The Lesser Whitethroat (S. cwrruca) is almost as 
common as the preceding species, and is very frequent 
in the gardens and in the hedges of the neighbouring 
meadows. My own garden was seldom without a pair 
during the summer, the clear white of the throat and 
breast making them very prominent. It does not show 
itself so openly as the whitethroat, and utters its song 
while flitting about in the concealment of the bush or 
tree. In one corner of my garden grew a clump of nut 
and plum trees, overshadowing an arbour, the sides of 
which were clothed with honeysuckle which climbed 
upwards, clasping the boughs of the trees above. The 
clump was the constant resort of this little bird, and 
