WHITETHROAT. 
109 
INSESSORES. 
DENTIROSTRES. SYL VIA DJE . 
PLATE LXVII, 
WHITETHROAT. 
Sylvia cinerea. 
The Whitethroat is not among the earliest of our 
spring migrants, appearing seldom before the middle or end of 
April. It is considered one of the most common, and most 
generally diffused of summer birds, an opinion we are not 
disposed to contradict, as we have usually met with the nests 
of this species more frequently than those of any other summer 
bird. There is scarcely a green lane in the country, or thick 
hedge, or patch of furze, where these birds may not be found, 
and detected by their lively song, f’rom such a spot they 
may be often seen to rise singing, and performing some 
curious evolution at the same time, as if to express their 
enjoyment of existence : they also sing while on the wing from 
bush to bush. 
The song of the Whitethroat has been much maligned, and 
said to be so interspersed with harsh notes as to be beneath 
attention ; nevertheless, this species has made some friends 
among those whose opportunities of observation were the 
greatest. Sweet says of its song that, in his opinion, “ it 
cannot be surpassed, as it is both lively, sweet, and loud, and 
consists of a great variety of notes.” White, on the other- 
hand, says, “ The note of the Whitethroat, which is con¬ 
tinually repeated, and often attended with odd gesticulations 
VOL. II. 
I 
