280 THE CHIFF-CHAFF, OE LESSEE PETTICHAPS. 



The ^^^litethroat arrives in England towards the end of April, the male always making 

 his appearance liefore his mate, and immediately upon their arrival they set to work in 

 searching after a fit spot on which to build their nest. For this purpose they generally 

 choose some thick l)ush, and are often very indifferent about concealing it, placing it openly on 

 the top of a stunted tliorn bush, within reach of every boy's hand. It is seldom placed at 

 any great height from the ground, and I have generally found them situated at an eleva- 

 tion of two feet. The nest is not very elaborate in its structure, and is chiefly formed of 

 various grasses twisted into shape, and slightly woven into the branches. The entire nest 

 can, however, be easily removed, without the necessity of cutting the twigs to which it is 

 fastened. The complete number of eggs is five, but their number is usually four. Their 

 colour is ashen-grey with a green wash, and they are boldly covered with ashen-brown and 

 ashen-green spots and blotches. 



The general colour of the "NMiitethroat is reddish-brown on the upper parts of the body 

 and brownish-white below, with the exception of the throat, which is of a beautifully pure 

 white. Its total length is about five inches and a half 



There is another species of T\niitethroat which is not so often seen as the last-named 

 species. This is the Gaeden Whitethroat, sometimes called by the name of Greater 

 Pettichaps. It is also known by the name of Garden Warbler. 



This is an active and liveh^ bird, restless to a degree, and constantlj' flitting from place 

 to place and from branch to branch on unwearied wing, and seldom coming out into view. 

 The song of this bird is much finer than that of the common Whitethroat, being more 

 lengthened, fuller, and more melodious. Some persons have compared the rich mellow 

 notes which it occasionally utters, to those of the blackbird. Although it chiefly frequents 

 shrubberies, copses, and plantations, it will often take a predilection to some garden, and if 

 left undisturbed, soon learns confidence and becomes quite a familiar bird, permitting those 

 with whose persons it is acquainted to approach within very close piroximity before it takes 

 alarm. But for its very retiring habits it would be a well-known bird, and many persons 

 have been charmed by its melody who have no idea of the bird from whose small throat it 

 proceeds. 



The food of the Garden Whitethroat is mostly of an insect nature, but the bird is not 

 averse to various fruits, and in the autumn often becomes rather obnoxious to the 

 gardener. 



The nest is not unlike that of the common Whitethroat, and is placed in similar locali- 

 ties ; a low thick bush being the favourite spot, although on occasions the bird will build 

 its house among thick herbage, or even among heavy i\'y leaves. The nest is made quite 

 as loosely as that of the preceding species, and is composed of grasses, fine fibrous roots, 

 moss, hair, and lichens, and the interior is softly lined with hair and other similar 

 substances. The eggs are greenish-white, covered with many spots and blotches of light 

 brown and ashen-green. 



By its colour the Garden Whitethroat can be distinguished from its relative, as the 

 upper surface is of a more delicate brown, and the abdomen of a purer white than the 

 throat, which is tinged with a pale brown. The iinder wing-coverts are pale buff, the beak 

 is dark brown, and the eyes are beautiful hazel. The total length of this species nearly 

 reaches six inches. 



The tiny Chiff-Chaff, one of the smallest of the British liirds, is the first Warbler 

 that makes its appearance in these islands, and that cheers us with its pretty little song 

 and its light, lively actions. 



The curious name of this bird has been derived from its cry, which bears some 

 resemblance to the words " Chift'-chaff ! Chery-churry !" often repeated. This little song 

 is sometimes uttered while the l.)ird is on the wing, but generally when it is perched 

 on some convenient bough of a lofty tree. The localities which it most frequents are 

 woods and hedgerows, and so lively is it in temper, that its jsleasant little voice is often 

 heard before the trees have put forth their verdure. It is a very useful bird, as it feeds 

 almost wholly on insects, and on its first arrival saves many a grand oak-tree from 



