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THE LESSER WHITETHROAT. 

 (Sylvia curruca.) 



This simple, modest, agreeable bird is valued and loved 

 by us, because it comes in such a friendly way near our 

 houses and ourselves. It nests in orchards, and more 

 especially in gardens where there are bushes, and 

 charms us in the early spring with its sweet trilling song, 

 " Lee-lee-lee-lee-lee." The little song is quite simple, 

 being just the repetition from six to eight times of the 

 syllable " Leeleelee." Its call-note is "tack-tack-tack." 

 It keeps the feathers of its head erected whilst singing. 

 Its food consists of all kinds of harmful insects for which 

 it hunts without rest, and is therefore no less useful than 

 the Titmouse. It feeds also on various berries, but 

 without doing any harm. The hen shows great self- 

 sacrifice in rearing her brood, amongst which is often 

 found a stranger the Cuckoo. 



Its nest should be protected from the house Cat. 

 Whoever protects it secures its services for himself. 

 The Whitethroat is migratory, and so exposed to many 

 dangers. 



Mr. Herman gives us only the Lesser Whitethroat. 

 With us what we call the Whitethroat proper is much 



