SYLVIAD^. 83 



habits, although Its pleasant note may often be heard 

 in a thick wood or among straggling bushes. Insects, 

 berries, peas, and fruit of various kinds constitute 

 its principal food. 



Common Whitethroat (Currtica cinered). Ar- 

 rives towards the end of April, from which month 

 until September it is one of the commonest of our 

 Warblers. It frequents hedges and woods ; and 

 nettles, brambles, and other low-growing weeds which 

 cover many of our country lanes are much sought by 

 it. Male birds usually reach this country before the 

 females, as is the case with the Nightingale, the 

 Blackcap, and several other of our summer visitors. 

 Its provincial name, Nettle-creeper, is no doubt de- 

 rived from its partiality to localities in which that 

 plant abounds. 



Lesser Whitethroat {Curmca sylviella). A 

 common summer visitor, but not so numerous as the 

 last-named. This pretty Warbler was first discovered 

 near Bulstrode, in Buckinghamshire, where it was 

 procured by the Rev. Mr. Lightfoot, who sent speci- 

 mens of the bird, then new to Britain, to Dr. Latham, 

 and this gentleman figured and described it at page 

 185 of his * General Synopsis.' 



The lesser Whitethroat reaches the neighbourhood 

 of Eton and Windsor about 'the end of April, after 

 which time its pleasing song and pretty form may 

 be heard and seen in the tall hedges in which it 

 delights to build. It usually places its nest five or 



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