246 THE WHITE-THROAT 



summer, spring- traps may be set, with elderberries and gooseberries hung 

 near them. It is difficult to take these birds at the water-trap. 



Attractivk Qualities. — This bird, gay, lively, and constantly in 

 motion, is a pk-asing object in the country. Its song, prolonged far inrto 

 the night, consists of several strains, which rapidly succeed each other, but 

 must be near for all its beauties to be distinguished, since the soft low 

 tones are only occasionally interrupted by louder notes, which are shrill 

 and follow quickly one after the other. The bird rises in the air as it 

 sings, as if to be better heard, circles round as it ceases, and sinks again 

 into its bush. Its call is a loud tze. When the white-throat is alone in 

 a room, its song appears very melodious. 



MR. SWEET S ACCOUNT OF THE WHITE-THROAT. 



This is one of the most delightful and pleasing birds that can 

 be imagined. If kept in a large cage with other birds it is 

 so full of antics, in flying and frisking about, and erecting its 

 crest, generally singing all the time, certainly nothing can be 

 more amusing. It is also quite as hardy as the black-cap, 

 and if a good one be procured, it is little inferior in song ; 

 but in this they vary considerably, the wild ones as well as 

 those in a cage. I have now one in my possession that I have 

 had about eleven years, in as good health, and singing as well as 

 ever ; and certainly no song need be louder, sweeter, or more 

 varied. It is of the same temper as a nightingale, never suffer- 

 ing itself to be outdone. It will indeed 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 all the time. 



In a wild state, the present species is generall}' to be found 

 in hedges and gardens, and is the most common of our British 

 warblers, visiting us the beginning or middle of April, and 

 leaving us towards the end of September ; sometimes a solitary 

 one may be seen in October, but not frequently. It is particu- 

 larly fond of flies, or a rose-branch covered with aphides will 

 please it very much 



