224 



BRITISH BIRDS 



before they are fledged, if they are discovered and looked 

 at. They can be reared on ants' eggs and maggots, and 

 will then live for eight or ten years. 



The Whitethroat is a very interesting little creature, for 

 it is extremely lively and full of the drollest antics, while 

 its song is not by any means to be despised, if it does 

 not come up to that of the Nightingale or the Blackcap. 



THE GREATER WHITETHROAT. 



It is particularly fond of the aphides found on rose trees, 

 and may be trained to sing at command by bribing it with 

 a branch covered with these troublesome insects. 



If the aphis has unfortunately affected a lodgment in a 

 greenhouse, a tame Whitethroat will pretty quickly clear 

 it of the pest; and as, unlike the Nightingale and the 

 Blackcap, it does not peck and injure the plants, it is a 

 very fit subject for liberating in such a situation. 



