89 



GAEDEN WAEBLEE. 



GREATER PETTYCHAPS. 



PLATE CXXHI. 



Sylvia hortengis, LATHAM. BECHSTEIN. 



Curruca hortensis, SELBT. 



THE nest is made of goose-grass, and other grasses, straws, and 

 small roots, mixed sometimes with a small quantity of moss, and lined 

 with a little wool or horse-hair, and fine fibres of plants. It is attached 

 to the branches with spider-cots and the cocoons of chrysalides. It is 

 generally placed between the branches of some low black-thorn, white- 

 thorn, or other bush, not far from the ground, as also at times on the 

 ground among the taller wild plants. It is rather loosely constructed. 

 One is said to have been found in an open field among some tares, 

 and another has been taken in a row of peas in a garden by Mr. 

 Yarrell. Mr. Jesse mentions his having found one three times in 

 succession among some ivy growing against a wall. It is not very 

 carefully concealed. 



The eggs are four or five in number, of a dull yellowish grey, or 

 pale purple brown, spotted and blotted with darker markings of the 

 latter colour. James Dalton, Esq., of Worcester College, Oxford, has 

 obligingly forwarded me a specimen from the beautiful gardens of that 

 College, where it used to my knowledge to be an annual visitant. 



Both male and female are believed to take their turn on the nest. 

 Two broods are commonly reared in the season. 



One variety is grounded with grey, marked all over with some blots 

 of yellowish green. 



A second is of a greyish yellow, covered with blots of pale green. 



A third is grounded with grey, mottled over with yellowish brown. 

 VOL. n. w 



