Division of Warblers. 41 



and two in the third, belonging to the genus 

 Acrocephalus, the Sedge- warbler and the Reed- 

 warbler. Let it be observed that each of these 

 three genera, Sylvia, Phylloscopus, and Acroce- 

 phalus, is the representative genus of the sub- 

 family in this classification, and has given it its 

 name ; so that we might expect to find some 

 decided differences of appearance or habit between 

 the members of these genera respectively. And 

 this is precisely what is the case, as any one may 

 prove for himself by a day or two's careful 

 observation. 



The birds I have mentioned as belonging to 

 the first genus, i. e. Whitethroat, etc., are all 

 of a fairly substantial build, fond of perching, 

 singing a varied and warbling song (with the 

 exception of the Lesser Whitethroat, of whose 

 song I shall speak presently), and all preferring 

 to build their cup-shaped nest a little way from 

 the ground, in a thick bush, hedge, or patch of 

 thick-growing plants, such as nettles. They also 

 have the peculiarity of loving small fruits and 

 berries as food, and are all apt to come into our 

 gardens in search of them, where they do quite 



