LESSER WHITETHROAT 
have one common explanation, it would, in my opinion, be 
more in keeping with our present knowledge of the facts 
to regard them solely as an expression of varying emotional 
states. 
Towards the end of July both young and old unite with 
the small flocks of Willow Warblers, Whitethroats, and Chiff- 
chaffs, which roam about the hedgerows and small fields of 
potatoes. Both sexes have at this time a very dilapidated 
appearance, due to moulting, which commences about the 
second week in this month and extends throughout the 
ereater part of August. As this moulting period proceeds, 
their vitality seems to increase, and when it is completed and 
the plumage again fully developed, they become exceedingly 
playful and lively. 
As in the case of the Blackcaps, there is no better place to 
study them, during the last few weeks before they leave this 
country, than among the elder bushes. Here they come in 
search of food, and here they have full scope for their 
exuberant spirits. At this time of year they are far more 
noisy than during the early spring or summer, not that they 
singe, for any attempt they make in this direction has little or 
no resemblance to their true song, but that they are frequently 
uttering their call note, which is harsher than the one used in 
the spring, and bears so much resemblance to the correspond- 
ing note of the Blackcap at this period that it is sometimes 
most difficult to distinguish between them. ‘The elder bushes 
during the first few hours of daylight are often full of them, 
together with Blackcaps, and thus there is frequently con- 
siderable commotion. The Blackcaps appear to be afraid of 
their pugnacity, and more often than not retire from their 
presence, which is not to be wondered at when one sees the 
rapid manner in which they dart in and out of the bushes, and 
the threatening attitude they assume. It is difficult to tell, 
from time to time, whether love of play or pugnacity is really 
the cause; I am inclined to think the former, for they 
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