THE WHITETHEOAT. 



279 



the beak is strong, straight, sharply-pointed, and with a notch upon the upper mandible 

 near its extremity. The feet have three toes in front and one behind, and the claw of the 

 hinder toe is the largest and most sharply curved. The nostrils are placed at the base of 

 the beak, are pierced through a rather large membrane, and are unprotected by feathers. 



The common Whitetheoat 

 is abundant in various parts of 

 England, and is, perhaps, the best 

 known of all its tribe. 



It is a lively, brilliant little 

 bird, and is remarkable for the 

 curious movement which it makes 

 when singing, and which seldom 

 fails to attract the attention of the 

 observer. Generally starting from 

 some low bush, the Wliitethroat 

 begins its sweet quiet song, and 

 then, springing suddenly into the 

 air, wings its way perpendicularly 

 upwards, as if it were about to 

 rival the lark in its lofty flight. 

 But after attaining a height of 

 four or five feet, it slowly sinks 

 upon the spot from which it had 

 started, and again rises into the 

 air with a fresli burst of music. 

 While singing, it seems full of 

 life and eagerness, and the white 

 feathers of its throat, together with 

 those of the crest, vibrate power- 

 fully as the sweet notes are poured 

 forth. The song is not a lengthened 

 one, but is frequently repeated 

 within a short space of time. 



The Wliitethroat possesses a 

 strong spirit of rivalry, and will 

 match itself against almost any 

 songster that begins to utter his 

 strain, having even been known 

 to challenge the nightingale to 

 a friendly trial of vocal powers. 

 Sometimes it becomes a mimic, 

 and imitates the songs of the other 

 birds by which it is surrounded. 

 In captivity it sings readily, and 

 has been known to start into 

 song only three days after its 

 capture. 



The haunts of this bird are generally among low bushes, brambles, underwood and 

 copses, among which it flits with restless activity. Owing to its habit of traversing the 

 low and nettle-overgrown underwood, it has received the popular name of Nettle-creeper 

 in many parts of England. The food of the Whitethroat consists chiefly of insects, and it 

 is indefatigable in its attacks upon various caterpillars and flies, thereby doing great service 

 to the gardener, who, however, generally aims at its destruction, because in the autumn it 

 repays itself by a few of the fruits which it has saved from the catei-pillar and the grub. 

 The caterpillar of the cabbage butterfly is a favourite article of diet with this bird. 



WHITETHROAT.— .51/hn'a muldta. 

 GARDEN WHITETHEOAT, OR GREATER PETTICHAP3, 



