THE WHITETHROAT. 161 



often. The bird seems quite a musical enthusiast, 

 uttering its notes apparently under tlic influence 

 of great excitement, the throat much distended 

 and throbbing all the while, and the feathers on 

 the crown of its head raised up so as to form a 

 crested tuft, while the vibrating wings and tail 

 mark the eagerness of the singer. Sometimes it 

 flies off, wheeling round and round with a quiver- 

 ing motion, and singing sweetly at the same time, 

 till having performed several circles in the air, it 

 comes back to the spot whence it started, and 

 flnishes the song. The heat of summer now 

 comes on, and most birds are silent for awhile, 

 till cooler hours arrive; but not so with our hearty 

 singer, for its voice may be heard alone amid the 

 general hush, and when a drowsiness seems to 

 have come over all the living things around, wliile 

 it is also continued long after the twilight of 

 evening. ^Ir. Sweet, who has contributed so 

 much to our knowledge of the habits and manners 

 of the small birds, was very fond of the white- 

 throat, and says, that it is one of the most de- 

 lightful and pleasing birds that can be imagined, 

 if kept in a large cage w^th others, when its 

 antics and friskings are most amusing. He 

 M 



