BIRDS BROWN ABOVE AND WHITE BELOW. 51 



the feathers ; tail-feathers dark brown, with white in 

 the outer ones ; under parts white, flushed with pink 

 on the breast ; throat pure white,; bill brown ; legs 

 and feet pale brown. Summer migrant. 



Eggs, — 4—6, greenish-white, spotted with gray 

 and brown ; "7 ^ -65 inch (plate 124). 



Nest. — Deep, and loosely woven, slung low among 

 nettles or other weeds, occasionally in brambles. 



Distribution. — General. 



This bird, after returning to our country about the 

 middle of April, slings its nest in nettle-beds, coarse 

 weeds, or brambles, a little above the ground, and 

 generally in the shelter of a hedgerow. There might 

 be some chance of overlooking it were it not so de- 

 termined to have its say to every one approaching its 

 retreat. Usually it opens with a scolding ' Gr-r-r ! ' 

 delivered from inside the hedge, and as one continues 

 to approach, the bird dashes over from the back and 

 takes its stand on the hedge-top a short distance 

 ahead. There, with excited gestures and swaying its 

 body from side to side, it jerks out a medley of ill- 

 assorted notes more like heated speech than song, its 

 head-feathers erected and its pure-white throat puffed 

 out like a double chin as it does so. Kepeating these 

 actions as it precedes the observer, it doubles back at 

 last behind the hedge to the spot whence it set put. 

 This same medley of excited sounds is, indeed, its 

 song, whilst uttering which it throws itself at times 

 into the air, and, still vociferating, makes a short 

 upward excursion, from which it breaks back and 

 drops, with wings laid back, to the spot whence it 

 rose. When feeding, the Whitethroat searches i\\,^ 



