490 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



the Lesser Whitethroat ; nor do they so often form 

 a zone at the larger end, according to my experience. 

 The ground-colour is not so clear a white either. 

 Size about .72 by .55 in. (See Plate III.) 



Time. May, June, and July. 



Remarks. Migratory, arriving in April and 

 departing in September or October ; individual 

 specimens have, however, been observed as late 

 as December. Notes : song " consists of numerous 

 agreeable strains given in rapid succession " whilst 

 the bird is in the air. Local or other name : 

 Nettle Creeper. Sits closely. 



WHITETHROAT, LESSER. 



(Sylvia curruca.) 

 Order PASSERES ; Family SYLVIID.E (WARBLERS). 



Description of Parent 

 Birds. Length from five to 

 five and a quarter inches ; 

 bill rather short, yellowish- 

 brown at the base, and 

 nearly black towards the 

 tip. Irides from yellowish 

 to pearl white, according 

 to the age of the bird. 

 LESSER WHITETHROAT Head, neck, back, rump, 



and upper tail-coverts grey- 

 ish-brown ; wing and tail-quills dusky, edged with 

 greyish-brown ; ear-coverts dark greyish-brown ; 

 chin, throat, and under-parts greyish-white, tinged 

 between the thighs and round the vent with red, 

 also, in some specimens, across the breast ; legs, 

 toes, and claws leaden grey. 



