378 THE FAUVETTE. 



quite different, and not so agreeable as the male. It lias now- 

 been in my possession nearly six years ; the first three years it 

 did not sing, but since that time it sings frequently." 



148. THE FAUYETTE, OR PETTICHAP. 



Sylvia, or Motacilla Hortensis, LIN. Fauvette, BUF. Die 

 Graue Grasmiicke, BECH. 



Description. The Fauvette is somewhat smaller than the 

 Blackcap, being five inches in length, of which the tail measures 

 two inches and a half. The beak is five lines long, of the same 

 shape as the preceding species, and horn-brown, except on the 

 upper mandible ; on the lower, light lead colour, and whitish 

 inside. The iris is greyish brown ; the feet strong, lead- 

 coloured, and three quarters of an inch in height. The upper 

 part of the body is reddish grey, with a very slight tinge of 

 olive brown ; the cheeks are somewhat darker, and a white 

 stripe surrounds each eye. The breast and sides are pale reddish 

 grey ; the belly white, with a tinge of reddish grey on the 

 rump ; the knees are grey ; the wings and tail greyish brown, 

 edged with the colour of the back, and tipped with white ; the 

 lower wing-coverts reddish yellow. In the female the breast 

 is a little lighter ; but, in other respects, she resembles the 

 male. 



Habitat. This bird, which is found in all parts of Germany, 

 frequents groves, gardens, or the outskirts of large forests. It 

 is a bird of passage, arriving a few days before the Night- 

 ingale, and departing about the end of September. In confine- 

 ment it may be treated like the foregoing species, though, being 

 a more delicate bird, it is advisable to keep it in some kind of 

 cage. 



Food. Throughout the spring the Fauvette feeds upon 

 caterpillars and other insects, which it picks off the trees and 

 bushes ; though, when the cherries are ripe, its depredations 

 on them are so constant as to give its beak a prevailing red 

 hue. It also eats currants and red and black elderberries. 



In confinement the Fauvette is a greedy bird, and if fed 

 with Nightingale's food, will pass whole days at the trough. 

 Although more easily tamed than the Blackcap, it .is a more 

 delicate bird, aud rarely lives beyond three years. It will eat 

 the first universal paste ; though if this be given to it unmixed 

 with anything else, its feathers begin to fall off, and the bird 

 perishes of cold. 



