DESCRIBED BY WHITE, SWEET, ETC. 45 



heard immediately after its arrival, and in a few days it is seen in 

 pairs. 



White gives a description of this bird which is by no 

 means flattering : i The note of the White-throat, which is 

 continually repeated, and often attended with odd gesticu- 

 lations on the wing, is harsh and unpleasing. These birds 

 seem of a pugnacious disposition ; for they sing with an 

 erected crest and attitudes of rivalry and defiance ; they are 

 shy and wild in breeding time, avoiding neighbourhoods, and 

 haunting lonely lanes and commons ; nay, even the very 

 tops of the Sussex downs, where there are bushes and 

 covert ; but in July and August they bring their broods 

 into gardens, and make great havoc among the summer 

 fruit,' 



Blyth, however, says that in the above passage the evil 

 qualities of the White-throat appear very much in relief; 

 that this is a very sprightly and active little bird, enliven- 

 ing various localities where its presence would be much 

 missed, and though in the fruit season it visits our gardens 

 in sufficient abundance, it is decidedly somewhat less fruit- 

 ivorous than its British congeners, and confines its depre- 

 dations chiefly to the smaller fruits. 



Sweet, describing the habits of this bird in a state of 

 captivity, says, * It is a very lively and interesting species, 

 and one of the easiest preserved. Its song, in my opinion, 

 cannot be surpassed by any bird whatever. It is both 

 lively, sweet and loud, and consists of a great variety of 

 notes. One that I at present possess will sing for hours 

 together against a Nightingale, now in the beginning of 

 January, and it will not suffer itself to be outdone. When 

 the Nightingale raises its voice it also does the same, and 

 tries its utmost to get above it. Sometimes in the midst of 

 its song it will run up to the Nightingale and stretch out 

 its neck as if in defiance, and whistle as loud as it can, 

 staring it in the face. If the Nightingale attempts to peck 

 it, away it is in an instant, flying round the aviary, and 

 singing with all its might.' He also records that he kept 

 a fine male bird eight or nine years, and it continued as 

 lively and sung as well as ever. 



