THE WHITETHROAT. 79 



crest-feathers and distended throat impart when 

 singing, make this bird one of the most noticeable 

 of the migratory warblers. It seems to prefer the 

 tallest and thickest hedgerows where there are 

 plenty of brambles and briars, and ditches which 

 are clothed with weeds and nettles. It does not 

 keep, however, to the fields and lanes, but visits 

 gardens and orchards in company with its young to 

 pilfer currants, raspberries, and other fruit, when 

 ripe. It is especially fond of the green Aphis, and 

 the caterpillars to be found on the currant bushes 

 are favourite morsels with this bird : hence we 

 should not forget that if it takes a few currants it is 

 also the means of saving a good many. 



On the arrival of the hen birds which takes 

 place ten or twelve days after the appearance of the 

 other sex the males, which had before skulked 

 about amongst the hedgerows and low brushwood, 

 may be seen perched on the topmost sprays, giving 

 rapid utterance to their garrulous song, and occa- 

 sionally rising into the air with a curious jerky flight 

 while pouring forth an accompaniment of equally 

 jerky notes. 



Though inferior to the rich and varied strains of 



