164 



THE YOUNG NATUEALIST. 



Food Plants.— The larva feeds in 

 August and September, upon the flowers 

 of Senecio jacobtsa, and S. erucifolius, Soli- 

 dago virgaurea, Achillea millefolium, Eupatoria 

 caunabinum, Pimpinella magna, and P. saxi- 

 fraga, Silaus pratensis, Campanula glomerata, 

 and Scabiosa columbaria." — Rev. H. Crewe, 

 as above. A much larger list than that quo- 

 ted is given by Mr. Owen Wilson. Dr. 

 Staudinger considers it polyphagous, and 

 gives the following genera of plants on 

 whose members it feeds : — " UmhellifereB, 

 Centav/rea, Achillea, Senecio, Solidago, Otw- 

 nis, GaUim, Selichrysium, ( GnaphaUtim ), 

 Sec, &c. 



Times of Appearance —The perfect 



insect appears as early as the latter end of 

 May, and continues to emerge during the 

 next three months, being perhaps most abun- 

 dant in July and August. The eggs are laid 

 on the food plants, and hatch in a few 

 days. The larva feeds on the seeds as well 

 as the flowers, and may be found after the 

 bloom is over. They retire under the sur- 

 face, and spin a slight cocoon for their 

 final change. 



Habitat. — A very abundant insect in 

 most of places. From the long list of food 

 plants, including so many well distributed 

 species, it will be seen that its range cannot 

 be restricted by its food. It occurs all over 

 Europe except the extreme north, in Asia 

 Minor, and the surrounding countries. 



Variation. — I have no knowledge of 

 any variety of this species. Captured 

 specimens are often much denuded of scales 

 which gives them a very different appearance. 



BRITISH BIRDS, THEIR 

 NESTS AND EGGS. 



By S. L. MosLEY. 

 44. LESSER WHITETHROAT. 

 Sylvia curruca (L.). 

 CuRRUCA (L.), the Hedge-sparrow. 



Size. — Length, about 5 in.; expanse, 

 nearly 8 in. 



Plumage.— Bill blackish ; eyes, in very 

 old birds, clear pearl grey ; forehead and 

 over the eyes ash-coloured ; back, wings, 

 and tail grey brown, except the outer tail 

 feathers, which are partly white ; throat 

 white ; under parts nearly pure white, tinged 

 with reddish rose-colour ; legs lead-coloured. 



The Female resembles the male in colour. 



The Young resemble the female, but are 

 somewhat paler in colour and the legs pale 

 hazel. 



Varieties. — Mr. Bond has one cream- 

 coloured, killed in Essex. 



Note. — -This bird is very shy and re- 

 tired in its habits. Its song is seldom very 

 loud, often scarcely audible at twenty yards 

 distance, and embraces little variety. 



Flight. — Hurried, and continued for 

 short distances only, in a jerking manner. 



Migration. — a summer visitor, arri- 

 ving about the middle of April and depart- 

 ing again by the end of September. 



Food. — Small insects of all kinds, and 

 also berries. 



In Confinement it may be treated like 

 the others of this genus. 



Habitat. — a common bird in the south 

 and eastern counties of England. Rare in 

 Wales and the north of England ; still rarer 

 in Scotland ; and very rare in Ireland. It 

 frequents places similar to those resorted to 

 by the last species. 



Abroad it is found in most parts of 

 Europe, also in India, China, Palestine, 

 and in many parts of Africa. 



Nest. — A nest of this species has been 

 sent me by Mr. Davis of Marlow. It is 

 constructed of fine stems of grass and 

 Galium held together by cobwebs, and the 

 inside has a compact lining of horsehair 

 and a few fibrous roots. It is generally 

 placed in a low bush or among herbage. 



