164 OUR natrt: songsters. 



fauvettes, composed of the parent birds and their 

 young, will make sad havoc among the currants, 

 cherries and raspberries, if their nest liappens to 

 be placed near a garden or orchard where these 

 fruits are growing. Elderberries and blackberries 

 are a favourite food, but the latter have hardlj 

 ripened before the birds are away to more con- 

 genial climes, and better stores of provision. The 

 greater number depart quite early in September, 

 but a few stragglers may be seen late in that 

 month. 



The Lesser Whitethroat* ( Currucasylviella) visits 

 this island at tlie same period as its allied species, 

 but is by no means a common bird. It is called 

 also Babbling Warbler, and its French and Latin 

 names both allude, too, to its song. Li Germany 

 it is termed Das MilUerchen, or little miller, 

 because some clacking notes may be heard in its 

 strain. These notes are very distinct, and are 

 therefore often thought to be the only song of the 

 bird, especially as it is, from its habit of frequent- 



* The Lesser Whitethroat is five inches and a quai-ter in length. 

 Upper parts bhickish brown ; sides and flanks grey ; under pai-ts 

 white tinged with red on the belly ; the oiiter feather of the tail 

 is white ; beak black ; feet lead-grey. 



