110 
SYLVIA D.E. 
on the Tving, is harsh and displeasing.” “ These birds,” he 
continues, “ seem of a pugnacious disposition ; for they sing 
Avith an erected crest, and attitudes of rivalry and defiance; 
are shy, and wild in breeding time, avoiding neighbourhoods, 
and haunting lonely lanes and commons.” 
These various opinions, however, with regard to the singing 
powers of this species may be easily reconciled. The louder 
notes are sometimes harsh, and as these only are occasionally 
heard, they have procured for this little warbler a character 
which it does not, on nearer acquaintance, deserve. 
We are among the admirers of these lively birds, having 
frequently heard them sing most agreeably while sporting up 
and down above the tops of the trees, rising and falling with 
a peculiar action of the wings and body; then starting off to 
another tree, and presently returning, again and again, singing 
all the while their loud and clear song. The song is different 
from that of most other birds, and in our opinion forms a 
most pleasing variety ; it is delivered in sounds clear and dis¬ 
tinct, and set in rather a low key. 
The Whitethroat, although shy in its personal habits, is 
the least careful of all small birds in concealing its nest, which 
it often places in situations so exposed to observation, as to 
excite wonder at its apparent want of precautionary instinct. 
The situations chosen are various: the elevation usually about 
two feet from the ground. We have sometimes found the 
nest in a close furze bush; but more frequently among bram¬ 
bles or nettles beside a ditch or bank. 
We have noticed a singular feat, acted by this little bird, 
Avhich was probably intended to draw our attention from its 
nest. Passing a high bank in a lane, we observed a White- 
throat rolling doAvn its sandy side, and throwing itself into 
strange positions, as if wounded; it struggled and shuffled 
along, keeping itself just beyond our reach, and finally flew 
away. Suspecting the design of this manoeuvre, we sought 
