WHITETHROAT 
second, which is a difficult and complex problem, I shall have 
somewhat to say in the life of the Lesser Whitethroat. 
Apart from the actual song, there are numerous call notes, 
the most peculiar one being the soft hissing sound, with which 
everyone who has walked along a country lane in summer 
must be familiar. Of the others, the most noticeable igs the 
one both sexes are accustomed to utter rapidly when excited, 
a high-pitched and very harsh note. 
The power of imitation, although not great, is well marked, 
and is principally in evidence during periods of great excite- 
ment, notes of the Blackcap and Chaffinch being intermingled 
with the true song. 
Their food is principally insects, Chironomide forming 
a large part of their diet early in the season, but larvae, 
especially of Chimatobia brumata and Tortrix viridana, are 
_ taken in large numbers. 
In the autumn they frequent the elder bushes and feed 
upon the berries. 
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