WHITETHROAT. 109 



Incubation, performed chiefly by the female, lasts from 

 twelve to fourteen days. 



Diagnostic characters : The clearly-defined spots 

 and strongly-contrasting ground colour, combined with 

 the size, distinguish the eggs of the Lesser Whitethroat 

 from those of species likely to be confused with them. 

 The nest also is characteristic. 



Family TURDID^. Genus Sylvia. 



Sub-family SYLVIIN^. 



WHITETHROAT. 



Sylvia cinerea {Bechstein). 

 Single Brooded. Laying season, May and June. 



British breeding area : The Whitethroat is one 

 of the commonest and most widely distributed of the 

 Warblers. It is found during the breeding season in 

 all suitable localities throughout England, Wales, and 

 Ireland ; whilst in Scotland, although a little more local, 

 it breeds regularly at least as far north as Ross-shire, 

 including Mull, lona, and Skye. 



Breeding habits : The Whitethroat arrives in our 

 islands at the end of April or early in May. Its 

 favourite haunts are tangled hedgerows and thickets, 

 both in cultivated districts and on the moorlands. The 

 males generally arrive in their summer quarters a short 

 time before the females, after whose appearance pairing 

 becomes general. The nest may be found in a great 

 variety of situations, sometimes within a few inches of 

 the ground, more generally a iow feet, and occasionally 

 at the top of a tall hedge, six or eight feet high. It is 



