290 SYLVIAD.E. 



grown with low brambles, nettles, and other wild weeds or 

 herbage ; hence one of the most common provincial names by 

 which this bird is known, that of Nettle Creeper. The 

 males of this species arrive, as in several instances among our 

 warblers, before the females ; and both are active, vigilant, 

 and shy, easily alarmed, and retreating immediately into the 

 seclusion afforded by the thick underwood and coarse vege- 

 tation of their favourite haunts. The nest is sometimes 

 placed in a low bush, or among a tangled mass of long grass, 

 weeds, and brambles. It is occasionally placed near the 

 ground, and very seldom more than three feet above it. A 

 nest before me is formed on the outside almost entirely of 

 dried grass stems ; but the sides are very thin, lined with 

 finer bents, and a few of the flowery heads of grass. The 

 eggs are four or five in number, of a greenish white ground, 

 spotted and speckled with ash-browm, and two shades of ash- 

 green ; the long diameter nine lines, transverse diameter six 

 lines and a half. Mr. Jenyns says, the first brood is fledged 

 about the end of May. 



The food of this species consists of insects in their various 

 states, particularly white caterpillars, and most of the smaller 

 sized fruits and berries, to obtain some of which they visit 

 the kitchen garden, and bring their young with them in July 

 and August. Some of the notes of the voice of this bird are 

 rather harsh, others are pleasing, though too frequently re- 

 peated ; but he always sings in earnest, erecting his crest, 

 puffing out his throat, shaking his wings, jerking his tail, 

 and other movements, which mark his agitation. Occasion- 

 ally he sings on the wing, ascending with a peculiar flight, 

 rapidly describing small circles, and after a few turns de- 

 scending to the spot from which he arose. They are equally 

 lively and entertaining when kept in confinement, and easily 

 preserved in health. Mr. Sweet says of the Whitethroat, 



One that I at present possess will sing for hours together 



