42 BIRDS OF CHESHIRE. 
SUB-FAMILY SYLVIIN A. 
WHITETHROAT. 
SYLVIA CINEREA, Bechstein. 
Peggy Whitethroat, Nettle-creeper, Straw-mouse, 
Split-straw, Cut-straw, Smalster. 
During the latter half of April the Whitethroat 
makes its appearance in our woods and _ hedgerows, 
remaining until about the end of August. <A few pairs 
nest amongst the scanty vegetation on Hilbre Island, 
where on May 15th, 1894, we watched several birds 
catching insects on the bare sandstone cliffs. Through- 
out Wirral and the Cheshire Plain the Whitethroat 
abounds everywhere, being by far the commonest 
member of the genus Sylvia. Even on the bare hills 
of the East it may be seen in the stunted bushes high 
up amongst the heather. 
The Whitethroat is less retiring in its habits than 
many of the Warblers, and nests in the hedgerows and 
rank vegetation bordering the country lanes, as well 
as in woods and thickets. It is partial to osier-beds 
where there is a growth of young withies. At Gatley 
Carrs we have seen nests placed on the tops of willow 
stumps, a few inches above the damp ground. 
LESSER WHITETHROAT. 
SYLVIA cuRRUCA (Linneus). 
The Lesser Whitethroat, although a regular summer 
visitor to Cheshire, cannot be considered a common 
bird, and, in comparison with the Common White- 
