GIRL BUNTINGS IN SUSSEX 57 



is, it is not so consistent in its performances or 

 pauses. Although both birds love to sing from tall 

 trees, the Lesser White throat seldom recites from 

 an elm, preferring oaks and lofty, untrimmed 

 hedges. The " Girl," however, as previously 

 noted, greatly fancies an elm, and sings from one 

 very often indeed. Finally, it should be recollected 

 that the Lesser Whitethroat is migratory, not 

 usually reaching Britain until towards the end of 

 April, its song therefore seldom being uttered until 

 the very end of that month or early in May, and 

 ceasing just about mid-July; whereas the " Girl," 

 being a true resident, starts singing sometimes as 

 early as February and continues till late September. 

 The Girl Bunting, then, particularly delights 

 in reeling out its monotonous ' ' tinkle ' ' from a 

 stand in some high timber tree, often indeed from 

 an elm, and often from quite a respectable elevation. 

 There, during the summer the dense foliage screens 

 it effectually from prying eyes ; in any event it is 

 nearly always difficult to detect one so shrouded. 

 On the other hand, one will sometimes sing from 

 very low down in a tree, from a hedge, fencing, 

 a bush, or telegraph post or wire. A singing 

 ' ' Girl ' ' is wont to adopt striking attitudes : the 

 head is thrown slightly back, and the whole body, 

 but particularly the tail, quivers with the exertions 

 and emotions of the singer. Although in a sense 

 confiding I refer to the bird's habit of so often 

 nesting close to houses and much -frequented 



