THE WHITETHKOAT. 381 



white wedge-shaped spot; the next a smaller spot of the 

 same shape and colour ; and the third being tipped with white. 



In the female, which is somewhat smaller, the rust colour 

 of the wings is lighter, and the beautiful white throat is alto- 

 gether wanting. 



Habitat. This bird, which is at home all over Europe, may 

 be seen about the middle of April, in thick bushes, groves, gar- 

 dens, or the outskirts of extensive forests, creeping through 

 the grass and underwood with great rapidity. It is a bird of 

 passage, leaving us at the end of September, or the beginning 

 of October. In confinement it may be treated like the last- 

 mentioned species, though still more delicate. The best plan 

 is to rear it from the nest, keep it in a Nightingale's cage, and 

 treat it in every respect like that bird. 



Food. In a wild state the "Whitethroat picks off the trees 

 all kinds of insects and their larvae ; and, when deprived of 

 this kind of food by the severity of the weather, betakes itself 

 to berries of different species. In confinement it should be 

 fed on the Nightingale's food, and occasionally a little barley 

 meal with bread and milk. It thrives best if in summer red 

 elderberries, and in winter dried black elderberries, which 

 have been soaked in water, be now and then mixed with its 

 food. 



Breeding. The Whitethroat builds its nest in thick under- 

 wood near the ground, among roots of trees which have grown 

 above the surface on the banks of brooks and rivers, or even in 

 tall grass. It is loosely put together of grass stalks and moss, 

 with a lining of horse-hair. The female lays five or six green- 

 ish white eggs, spotted with olive green and dark ashen grey. 

 The young birds, which soon leave the nest, are like the 

 parents, except that the rust-coloured border of the wings is 

 not so distinct ; a peculiarity which is more marked in the 

 females than in the males, and affords, therefore, a criterion by 

 which the sexes may be distinguished. They may be easily 

 reared with ants' eggs, and become, in time, so tame as to 

 sing when perched upon their master's hand. 



Diseases. The Whitethroat is subject to the same diseases 

 as the Blackcap. 



Mode of Taking. At the end of the summer, and in autumn, 

 this bird may be taken without difficulty in nooses baited with 

 currants and elder-berries ; though it must be confessed that 



