Subfamily SYLVIINi^:. 



THE WHITETHROAT. 



Sylvia cinerea, Bechstein. 

 Plate 5. 



This summer migrant, the type of the Sylviidae or Warblers, arrives about the 

 same time as the Nightingale. 



An active and restless little bird, it soon makes its presence known by its joyous 

 song, among the trees and brambles of some coppice, or by the roadside hedges. 



The notes are often uttered during flight, as the bird rises with a curious flap- 

 ping action of the wings to a moderate height, and descends again to his perch. 



Abroad the Whitethroat is found from Scandinavia southwards to the Medi- 

 terranean, also in Asia, Asia Minor, and Palestine, wintering in Africa and the 

 Canaries. 



The nest is lightly and neatly constructed of fine grass stalks, with a lining 

 of finer bents and horse-hair. The eggs, varying from four to six in number, are 

 greenish-white, speckled with greyish-green and purplish-grey. 



The food consists mainly of insects and grubs, though sometimes fruit and 

 berries are eaten. 



The female is duller in colour, and has the head browner than in the male. 



27 



