LESSER WHITETHEOAT. Ill 



Hampshire, Somersetshire, Gloucestershire, Suffolk, Norfolk, 

 Bucks., Lincolnshire, and Northumberland. 



In Wales it is rare. 



In Scotland it has been noticed near Edinburgh, where, 

 however, it is extremely rare; as also at Musselburgh, and 

 in Haddingtoiishire and Ayrshire; also about Paisley, in Ren- 

 frewshire; and more commonly, it is said, at Hamilton, in 

 Lanarkshire. 



It has not yet been met with in Ireland or in Orkney. 



This bird frequents gardens, hedges, copses, shrubberies, 

 and thickets, especially the first-named if affording ample 

 shelter. It is not unfrequently to be seen in trees, where, 

 perched on some open branch, with its plumage puffed out, 

 its snow-white breast is an object of observation. It is at 

 times to be observed on commons, but only where there are 

 trees. 



It arrives here about the middle or the latter part of 

 April, but sometimes earlier, for Mr. Edward Blyth has taken 

 the nest on the 23rd. It reaches Scotland about the 10th. 

 of May; and even in England is occasionally as late as the 

 beginning of that month. Some few remain till the first 

 week in October, but the greater number take their departure 

 in September. 



In its habits it appears shy and retiring, but is also noisy, 

 volatile, cheerful, spirited, and restless, so that it is the more 

 frequently under observation, but keeping especially close if 

 approached, when it utters its alarm note, in the midst of 

 the tangled underwood, where it builds, through the interstices 

 of which it threads its way with extreme readiness. It is of a 

 pugnacious and petulant disposition, attacking and driving 

 away other birds of larger size than itself. It is able to be 

 kept in confinement. It may be seen sometimes crossing a 

 field, or flying from one tree to another in a fluttering un- 

 steady sort of manner, and in any way but 'as the crow 

 flies,' uttering its monotonous cry all along. 



Insects of different kinds and their larvae are their ordinary 

 food, and the winged kinds are sometimes taken in the air, 

 while the others are assiduously sought after among the leaves 

 and branches. They make sad havoc in gardens among such 

 fruits and vegetables as currants, cherries, raspberries, and 

 peas; but the evil is abundantly recompensed by the vast 

 quantity of aphides and injurious insects which they otherwise 

 destroy. 



