412 BRITISH BIRDS. 



having the forehead and crown of a pale bluish grey colour^ gradually 

 shading into the colour of the back^ which is a pale isabelline brown. The 

 length of wing varies from 2'45 to 2'3 inch. In its wing-formula it agrees 

 with the Siberian form. It breeds in the Ferghana and Afghanistan, passes 

 through the Pamir on migration^ and winters in Baluchistan, Scinde, and 

 North-west India. 



The Lesser Whitethroat is a regular summer migrant to this country, 

 and arrives during the last half of April, sometimes not until the beginning 

 of May. Like its near congener the Common Whitethroat, it is a restless 

 shy little bird, and only frequents those localities which aiford it plenty of 

 seclusion and concealment. Its haunts are the tangled hedgerows, in 

 lanes, especially if there be plenty of tall shrubs and trees ; it is also an 

 inhabitant of the thick shrubberies, where the evergreens are interspersed 

 with deciduous trees ; and gardens, small plantations, and copses are also 

 tenanted. 



Unlike the Common Whitethroat, this species is very frequently seen 

 at a considerable distance from the ground, in the higher branches, a 

 difference of habit which may also be remarked between the Chiffchaff and 

 the Willow-Wren. 



From this peculiarity in its habits, and from the luxuriance of the foliage 

 which it frequents, the Lesser "Whitethroat very often escapes observation ; 

 but when noticed it will be seen to display the same restless disposition as 

 the other Warblers, gliding quickly from branch to branch, now hiding 

 under the broad leaves, then hovering in the air to catch a fly, or more 

 often to warble its song. Although it does not often prolong its flight far 

 into the open, still when so seen it may be observed that its course is an 

 undulating one. Its song is a monotonous trill, sometimes like the first 

 half of the song of the Yellowhammer ; but it is frequently preceded by a 

 few notes which, though they are not very varied nor very loud, are by 

 no means unmusical, something like the twittering of a Swallow. Its 

 call-note resembles the syllable check several times repeated and some- 

 times varied with a more guttural cry. 



The food of the Lesser Whitethroat is largely composed of insects, which 

 it seeks under the leaves and amongst the twigs, and occasionally attempts 

 to secure on the wing, snapping at them from its perch or pursuing them 

 in the air. It is also fond of small caterpillars and aphides, and, like all 

 its congeners, feeds largely on fruit, especially on cherries and red 

 currants. 



The Lesser Whitethroat is a somewhat late breeder, and the vegetation 

 is usually dense and luxuriant ere its nest is commenced. It is often 

 placed amongst brambles, in furze bushes, in thickets, the topmost branches 

 of a tall hedgerow, or in the bushes which grow over the stream in some 

 shaded dell. It is much shalloAvcr than the nest of the Common White- 



