WHITE-THROAT. INSESSORES. CURRUCA. 217 



greenish- white, with spots and specks of ash-grey and brown, 

 principally at the larger end, and disposed in the form of a 

 zone; but these spots are sometimes thinly scattered over 

 the whole surface. The species is plentifully distributed 

 throughout the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, and 

 Hs periodical polar migration extends as far northward as 

 Sweden. In its affinities, it is even more closely allied to 

 the Passerine Warbler (Curruca minor of BRISSON, Becfin 

 Passerinette of TEMM.) than to the Common White-Throat, 

 with which it has no doubt been frequently confounded in 

 this country ; but may always be distinguished by its infe- 

 rior size, different-coloured legs, and from being without the 

 rich brown upon the scapulars and wing- coverts that distin- 

 guishes the larger species. Its food, like that of its conge- Food, 

 ners, consists of insects and their larva?, and the smaller 

 fruits and berries. 



PLATE C. Fig. 4. Represents this bird of the natural size. 



Bill brown, fuller towards the base. Irides reddish- General 

 brown. Crown of the head and nape of the neck ash- ti ^ np " 

 grey, with the auriculars darker. Throat, breast, and 

 belly pure silvery white. Sides and flanks tinged with 

 pinkish-brown. Upper parts pale brown, tinged with 

 grey. Tail broccoli-brown ; the exterior feather having 

 its outer web entirely white, and a great part of its 

 inner web the same. Legs and feet bluish-grey. 



SUBFAMILY SYLVIANA. 



IN this group, the delicate form and peculiar features of 

 the Sylviada are carried to the greatest extent, and it ranks, 

 of course, as the pre-eminently typical circle of that interest- 

 ing portion of the Insessores. It embraces the most dimi- 

 nutive species of the Warblers ; the Gold-Crests, or members 

 of the genus Rcgulus (Cuv.), being by Mr SWAINSON con- 



