46 SYLVIAD^E. 



tint which only a worshipper of the science could attain, in 

 which he remarks, that of late years the garden warbler has 

 been a regular summer visitor to some of the rich gardens in 

 the vicinity of Cork. Resembling the nightingale in its shy 

 and skulking habits, the garden warbler alone " prates of his 

 whereabouts," by his beautiful mellowed intensity of song, 

 singing as if he were wrapt up in his own melody, he allows 

 us to approach and observe, but when ended, glances into the 

 underwood out of sight. 



Habitat Southern Europe. 



SPECIES 45 THE WHITETHROAT. 

 Curruca cinerea. Bechs. 

 Bee fin grisette. Temm. 



THE irritable and harmonious whitethroat is one of the most 

 widely dispersed of our summer warblers, and occurs in all 

 parts of the country, frequenting every hedgerow which 

 affords it shelter. 



Curious and interesting in its habits, which resemble those 

 of the family to which it belongs, the whitethroat is a shy, re- 

 tired species, always skulking away on being approached, 

 and uttering its hoarse guttural alarm-cry in displeasure at 

 being followed. Yet, when not alarmed, 



" The sportive whitethroat, on the twig's end borne, 

 Pours hymns to freedom and the rising morn." 



Doubtless ! For if ever a feathered exponent of freedom 

 sung its principles, it is the whitethroat. Earnestly wild in 

 the intensity of its song, its appearance whilst singing is no 

 less remarkable. Perching upon the thorn, with roseate breast 

 almost perceptible in the sun, he gushes out his hurried song, 

 and as if in delight at the beauty of his own strain, performs 

 the most curious gesticulations. Now, with every change of 

 attitude possible for bird to assume, the head shakes from 

 side to side, every feather on it and the throat widely dis- 

 tended. Again, he throws himself up into the air and quivers 

 about, singing away violently as if performing some mystic 

 dance; and then, as if wearied with his exertions, drops stone- 

 like into the thickest of the hedgerow, uttering his loud, 

 scolding alarm-cry. So - 



" The whitethroat' s lay 

 Flitting from hedgerow, spray to spray ; 

 Or, gently mounting through the air, 

 To mark his bosom silvery fair 

 Invite us." 



Habitat Northern Africa. 



