48 THE LESSER WHITETHROAT. 



Sometimes it would descend to the floor, or perch on a table 

 or chair, and would come and take a fly out of the hand, 

 or drink milk out of a spoon, if invited; of this it was very 

 fond. As soon as it was the least frightened, it would fly 

 immediately to the cage, perch on the top, from thence to 

 the door, and would enter in exactly the same manner as 

 it came out. I have often hung it out at the window, 

 perched on the top of its cage, with the door open, and it 

 would never attempt to fly away. Sometimes, if a fly 

 should happen to pass near, it would fly off and catch it, 

 and return with it to the top of the cage. After remaining 

 there a considerable time, it would either return into it or 

 fly in at the window and perch on the cages of the other 

 birds. I sometimes have placed the cage, with its door 

 open, in the garden, where the ants were plentiful. It was 

 always very shy of coming out, and would never venture 

 far from it, and on being the least alarmed would return 

 to it again.' 



This, like many another feathered pet, eventually fell a 

 victim to the claws of Grimalkin. 1 A strange cat came 

 into the room where it was, and pulled it out from betwixt 

 the wires of the cage, without leaving a feather behind, it 

 was so very small.' 



The Lesser Whitetliroat is a merry bird, 

 Incessantly its chirping notes are heard ; 

 Yet loves it not from out the brake to roam, 

 But tarries, e'er contented with its home. 

 So to her hearth the thrifty housewife clings, 

 And as she plies the wheel, the shuttle flings, 

 To show her cheerfulness of heart, she gaily sings. 



The Whitethroat is a dweller on the brake, 

 And loveth not the thicket to forsake. 

 Its home is ever in the pleasant shade, 

 By budding sprays and leafy branches made ; 

 And there it chatters on from day to day, 

 Pleased with itself, and innocently gay, 

 Careless and fearless how time speeds away. 



