150 BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE WHITE-THROAT. 

 (Sylvia Cinerea, Lath. Bcc-fin grisette, Temm.) 



LENGTH about five inches and a half. Bill 

 dark brown, lighter at the base ; eyes dark 

 hazel ; the upper part of the head and back are 

 reddish ash ; throat white ; lesser wing coverts 

 pale brown; the greater dusky brown, with red- 

 dish margins; breast and belly silvery white; the 

 wings and tail dusky brown, with pale edges, 

 outer feathers white ; legs pale brown. The 

 breast and belly of the female are entirely white. 



This bird arrives with the Redstart, Black- 

 cap, &c., in the spring, and quits us in autumn 

 about the same time that they do; it frequents 

 thickets and hedges, and feeds on insects and 

 wild berries. It builds in thick brakes or bushes, 

 the nest is composed of fine dried grass, thinly 

 lined with hair; the female lays five eggs, of 

 a greenish white ; sprinkled with darkish olive 



