25 



is made of roots, moss and wool, lined with hair. Four to six eggs 

 of a light greenish-blue, without spots (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, 

 drawer 2), are laid early in March. A second or even a third brood may 

 be reared in a season. 



Case 174. 



GREATER WHITETHROAT {Sylvia cinerea). 

 Local name : Peggy Whitethroat. 



The Nettle-creeper, as this bird is also called, is one of our commonest 

 summer visitors. It is generally distributed throughout the British 

 Islands from the middle of April till the beginning of September. It 

 frequents hedgerows and thickets overgrown with brambles and nettles. 

 The nest, a lightly constructed structure, of fine grass, with a lining of 

 bents and horsehair, is almost invariably placed low down in straggling 

 brambles or nettles. The eggs are greenish-white or stone colour, 

 blotched with violet grey and light brown (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, 

 drawer 2). 



Case 17 5. 



WHEATEAR (Saxicola cenanthe). 



This is one of our earliest spring visitors, arriving in the beginning 

 of March and leaving early in October. It is generally, though locally, 

 distributed throughout the British Islands and frequents the wilder 

 parts of the country, such as open downs, heaths and barren hills. 

 The white patch on the rump, so conspicuous when in flight, is entirely 

 hidden when the bird is at rest. The nest is loosely made of dry grass, 

 lined with hair and feathers, and is variously placed in rabbit burrows, 

 crevices of stone walls and heaps of stones. The eggs are very pale 

 blue, sometimes faintly spotted with purple (see British Bird Egg 

 Cabinet, drawer 1), and vary from five to seven in number. Two 

 broods are produced in a season. 



Case 1 76. 



RING-OUZEL {Turdus torquatus). 



A spring visitor which arrives in the British Islands in April, remains 

 till September or October when the majority move southwards, but 

 in mild seasons individuals have been observed as late as December. 

 It is more abundant in the fells and more elevated districts. It feeds 

 on moorland berries, slugs, worms and insects, and often visits gardens 

 in search of fruit. The nest is placed in heather or on ledges of rock, 

 often on the side of a stream, and resembles that of a Blackbird. The 

 eggs also resemble those of a Blackbird, but are usually more boldly 

 marked, and are four and sometimes five in number (see British Bird 

 Egg Cabinet, drawer 1). Two broods are produced in a season. 



