BRITISH BIRDS. 
39 
THE LESSER WHITE-THROAT. 
(Motacilla Sylvia, — Lin.) 
This bird, is of a slender shape, like the Willow 
Wren, and from its shy and solitary disposition, is not 
often seen. By those who have watched its motions, it 
is described as darting like a mouse through the inte- 
rior branches of the brakes and underwoods, among 
which it shelters itself. The length from the tip of the 
bill to the end of the tail, is four inches and seven- 
eighths, breadth seven inches and a quarter, weight 
six drachms. The irides are dark hazel ; both mandi- 
bles are dark at the tips; the under one yellowish 
towards the base. The upper plumage is of a mouse 
coloured brown; the scapulars and quills nearly the 
same, edged with lighter brown ; and the two outside 
feathers of the tail, with dull white : the under parts, 
from the chin to the vent, are more or less of a dull or 
silvery white ; legs, toes, and claws brown. 
