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states that it breeds in Turkestan, and it is also found in Siberia. Dr. Radde only obtained a 

 single example at the village of Tunka, on the 7th May, 1859 ; but, according to Mr. Taczanowski 

 (J. f. O. 1872, p. 434), Dr. Dybowski says, "this common bird breeds in Dauria, and arrives 

 here in the second half of May. Breeds in the low bushes in valleys in the early part of June ; 

 the female lays from five to six eggs, which are incubated by both birds. In autumn they 

 remain as late as the 6th September. It is also common in the neighbourhood of Darasun." 

 Mr. Swinhoe records it from China, and says that Pere David found it very rare at Pekin, but 

 common at Ordo. Mr. Gould has a specimen from Kalgan. 



The present species has, in its habits, much in common with the common Whitethroat. 

 Though a woodland bird, it does not affect the dense forest, but frequents groves and the out- 

 skirts of woods near inhabited places, gardens, shrubberies, &c, and is much less frequently met 

 with in conifer-growth than in non-evergreen groves. In a garden where the bushes have been 

 but little pruned and the hedges are large and thick the present species is almost sure to be 

 found ; for it affects low, somewhat dense growth, and is but seldom seen on a high tree. It is 

 extremely lively and active, always on the move, and but seldom remaining long near the same 

 place, is by no means shy, and, unless much molested, appears to fear the presence of man but 

 little. Although so active and quick in his movements amongst the bushes, it is almost awkward 

 on the ground, and hops about as if with some little difficulty. Its call-note is harsh, like that 

 of the common Whitethroat, though less so than the note of that species ; and the song of the 

 male, which consists of a mixture of hasty twittering and somewhat flute-like notes, its breaks 

 being linked by a frequent repetition of the syllables sip, sip, sip, is by no means unpleasant, 

 though it somewhat lacks variety. It sings most industriously from early in the morning till 

 late in the evening until the term of incubation commences, when it takes its turn with the 

 female at sitting; and about Midsummer it gradually ceases to sing. When singing it keeps 

 moving about; and when exerting itself in uttering its notes the throat is distended and the 

 feathers on the crown and throat somewhat erected. It feeds chiefly on the small caterpillars 

 which infest the buds and foliage of the bushes and plants, and on various kinds of insects and 

 their larvse, especially on aphides ; but it also eats currants, berries of various kinds, and other 

 fruits with avidity, especially later in the season, when insects are not so numerous. It builds its 

 nest late in April, placing it in a low bush in a hedge, or a gooseberry bush, or in any dense 

 foliage not high above the ground. It is very slightly built, though the structure is firm. The 

 outside is composed of rather stout bents ; and the lining is of fine bents, rootlets, and horsehair. 

 The eggs, which are generally deposited early in May, are four or five in number, are white, 

 boldly but sparingly blotched with dull light brown and purplish grey underlying shell-markings 

 and darker brown surface-spots, these spot or blotches being more profuse and larger at the 

 larger end of the egg. In size those in my collection average about §§ by \ inch. 



As regards the synonymy of the present species, I may here remark that Gmelin's Sylvia pas- 

 serina, which is based on Brisson's description of Ficedula curruca minor, and on D'Aubenton's 

 plate (PI. Enl. 579. fig. 2), is by many authors considered to be the Subalpine Warbler; but after 

 a careful comparison of this plate, as well as Brisson's description, I feel confident that the species 

 described and figured by these authors is nothing but the Lesser Whitethroat. 



The specimen figured is an adult male from Turkey, this being the bird above described. 



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