599 



LESSER WHITE-THROAT. 

 (Sylvia Sylviella.) 



SY. cinereo-fusca subtus sordide alba, rectricibus duabus inter- 



mcdiis brevioribus subulatis. 

 Grey-brown Warbler, beneath dull white, with the two middle 



tail-feathers short and awl-shaped. 

 Sylvia Sylviella. Lath. Ind. Orn. 2. 5 15. 24. 

 Lesser White-throat. Lath. Syn. Sup. 185. 152. pi. 113. 



Lath. Syn. Sup. II. 23Q. 8. Don. Brit. Birds. 4. pi 86, 



Mont. Orn. Diet. 2.Mont. Sup. 



THE Lesser White-throat was first described 

 by Dr, Latham from specimens transmitted by 

 Mr. Lightfoot, from Buckinghamshire, where they 

 were taken near Bulstrode, during the months of 

 May and June : it is less than the common White- 

 throat : its length is five inches and a quarter : 

 weight rather more than three drams : the beak 

 is dusky : irides yellowish, with a tinge of pearl : 

 the upper parts and sides of the head are dark 

 ash-colour : the rest of the upper parts grey-brown : 

 quills and tail dusky, edged with ash : under parts 

 from throat to vent, including the tail-coverts, 

 silvery white : the outer tail-feathers white, except 

 at the very base of the inner web : legs dusky 

 lead-colour : both sexes nearly similar. 



This bird builds in brambles and thickets : the 

 nest is situated very near to the ground, and, like 

 that of the White-throat, is very flimsily put tor- 

 gether ; it is composed of goose-grass and wool, 



