The Lesser Whitethroat 



generally placed moderately high up, about four or six feet 

 from the ground, in a bush or hedge bordering a coppice. 

 The eggs, four to six, are of a light cream ground colour, 

 with a zone of dark spots round the larger end. The hen 

 sits very closely and does not leave her eggs unless almost 

 touched ; she does not then fly, but hops quietly away into 

 the undergrowth, where she remains motionless till the 

 danger, real or imaginary, has gone. The young when 

 fledged resemble their parents, and two broods are as a rule 

 reared. Its song is a monotonous " Sip, sip, sip," repeated 

 again and again. 



Although by no means scarce, it is seldom seen unless 

 specially searched for, most of its time being spent quietly 

 hopping about the undergrowth searching for food, which 

 consists almost entirely of minute insects, small caterpillars, 

 etc. etc. It is never seen in flocks, even when migrating, a 

 few family parties in autumn being the most that are ever 

 noticed together. 



This bird has no distinctive plumage, and except for its 

 note is very difficult to identify. The crown is smoke grey, 

 cheeks and rest of the upper parts brownish grey, the outer 

 feathers of the tail having white outer webs. Under parts 

 whitish, becoming buff on the flanks. Bill black; legs 

 slate colour. Length 5*25 in. ; wing 2'6 in. The female 

 and young are rather duller in colour. 



In our southern, eastern, and midland counties it is a fairly 

 abundant summer visitor ; in the West and North of England 

 and South of Scotland it is decidedly rare, and over the rest 

 of our islands it is a very irregular straggler and has only 

 once occurred in Ireland. 



43 



