202 
THE WHITETHROAT. 
back again to its former perch. Along the twigs it runs with astonishing rapidity, sometimes 
clinging with its head downward, sometimes running round and round them spirally, always 
twisting its pert little head in every direction, and probing each hole and crevice with its 
sharp slender little bill. The roughest-barked trees are its favorite resort, because in such 
localities it finds its best supply of insect food. 
The Fire-crested Wren is very similar to the preceding species, but may be distinguished 
■ from it by the ruddy hue of the forehead, the fiery orange of the crest, and the decidedly yellow 
hue of the sides of the neck. It is an inhabitant of Europe, but is a much rarer bird than the 
Golden-crest. Owing to the great resemblance between the two species, they have often been 
mistaken for each other, and it is only within a comparatively recent period that their diversity 
was established. Another species of the same genus, the Dalmatian Regulus ( Regulus 
modestus), has, although very rarely indeed, been found in the northern regions of Europe. 
The general color of the plumage is greenish-yellow, and the crown of the head is marked by 
a narrow streak of paler yellow. 
SONG-WARBLERS. 
The Luscinince , or Song- warblers, are, as their name denotes, remarkable for their 
sweet song, to which accomplishment may be added the beauties of elegant shape and graceful 
movement. In their color they are very inconspicuous, brown, gray, and olive-green being the 
hues with which they are generally tinted, in accordance with the principle which has been 
lately laid down while treating of the Humming-birds. In all these birds the beak is strong, 
straight, sharply-pointed, and with a notch upon the upper mandible near its extremity. The 
feet have three toes in front and one behind, and the claw of the hinder toe is the largest and 
most sharply curved. The nostrils are placed at the base of the beak, are pierced through a 
rather large membrane, and are unprotected by feathers. 
The common Whitethroat is abundant in various parts of Europe, and is, perhaps, the 
best know 7 n of all its tribe. 
It is a lively, brilliant little bird, and is remarkable for the curious movement which it 
makes when singing, and which seldom fails to attract the attention of the observer. Generally 
starting from some low bush, the Whitethroat begins its sweet quiet song, and then, springing 
suddenly into the air, wings its way perpendicularly upwards, as if it w T ere about to rival the 
lark in its lofty flight. But after attaining a height of four or five feet, it slowly sinks upon 
the spot from which it had started, and again rises into the air with a fresh burst of music. 
While singing, it seems full of life and eagerness, and the white feathers of its throat, together 
with those of the crest, vibrate powerfully as the sweet notes are poured forth. The song is 
not a lengthened one, but is frequently repeated within a short space of time. 
The Whitethroat possesses a strong spirit of rivalry, and will match itself against almost 
any songster that begins to utter his strain, having even been known to challenge the night- 
ingale to a friendly trial of vocal powders. Sometimes it becomes a mimic, and imitates the 
songs of the other birds by which it is surrounded. In captivity it sings readily, and has 
been known to start into song only three days after its capture. 
The haunts of this bird are generally among low bushes, brambles, underwood, and copses, 
among which it flits with restless activity. Owing to its habit of traversing the low and nettle- 
overgrown underwood, it has received the popular name of Nettle-creeper in many parts of 
England. The food of the Whitethroat consists chiefly of insects, and it is indefatigable in 
its attacks upon various caterpillars and flies, thereby doing great service to the gardener, 
who, however, generally aims at its destruction, because in the autumn it repays itself by a 
few r of the fruits which it has saved from the caterpillar and the grub. The caterpillar of the 
cabbage butterfly is a favorite article of diet with this bird. 
The Whitethroat arrives in the northern regions of Europe towards the end of April, the 
