2 WII 1TETHR0AT.
Bngfand) a few oooMioatUj come to grief on the llght-lbipl off tlio oast coast. Early in Jane 1873 I
received the wings of two or three Common Whitethrnats wliicli had fallen on hoard the " Lynn Well"
floating light during ihe first or second week in May. Unless some of our visitors reach this country by
crossmg the German Ocean, 1 am at a loss to understand what could have caused their presence on the
stormy North Sea at that season.
At their first arrival on our shores, White-throats arc particularly neat and handsome birds, their
feathers soft and glossy, the males especially exhibiting a conspicuous pale rosy bloom on their breasts.
Ily the end of summer they are completely changed iu appearand', their feathers worn and ragged, and the
bright colours faded into a general dirty grey tint.
For several weeks previous to their departure these Warblers may he noticed collecting in considerable
numbers iu the neighl>ourhowl of the south coast. They are to be met with along broad hedgerows, and
also frequenting gardens and plantations, usually preferring those spots where they arc able to find
tin abundance of thick cover. On September 12th, 18S2,1 remarked a couple of young birds busily engaged
in capturing the green caterpillars of the small White Butterfly (I'o/ititr ntjiw) on a bed of mignonette.
Hopping below the plants, these interesting juveniles carefully inspected the upper portion of the tlower; and
on an insect being detected they fluttered upwards, and, hovering for a moment, seized their prey on the wing.
The nest is by no means an elaborately finished structure, dead blades and steins of various grasses
being used in its composition. Though well concealed during summer, its position is generally 'exposed to
view when once the foliage on the brambles ami thorn bushes has been cut up by frosts. The number of old
nests of this species that can be counted iu the hedgerows in almost any rough lucality clearly indicates
how extensively the Whitcthroat is distributed over the country. The eggs might alinust bo described as a
mass of yellowish-brown streaks and spots, marked here and there with darker lines and dots, the small
amount of ground that is visible being usually of a dirty white tint with a shade of greenish yellow.
I have noticed several of the provincial names of this species recorded by various writers; but 1 cannot
call to mind having met with that of " ilayjack." The bird is comiuouly known by this title to the marsh-men
in the east of Norfolk.
LESSER WIIITETIIROAT.
CURRUCA SYLVIELLA.
TUB notes 1 have recorded in my journals with reference to this species arc unfortunately scanty in the
extreme. It is quite possible the Lesser Whitcthroat may have come uuder my observation in the north of
England or even in Scotland, though the fact is un mentioned, and I am unable to recall to mind a single
instance. The country between Doncastcr aud Knottiugly, in tbo south of Yorkshire, appears to be the
most northern locality iu which this neat and elegant little bird has attracted my atteutiou. In Sussex,
Kent, and Middlesex the species, though local, is by no means uncommon during the breeding-season.
It is also to be met with in Norfolk, Sull'olk, Cambridgeshire, and a few of the adjoining counties, though in
smaller numbers than in the south.
I never recognized this Whitcthroat on passage. The birds may be noticed, on their first arrival, on
the south coast, frequenting for a day or two the thick hedges iu the vicinity of the shore. In Sussex
none remain during the summer within four or five miles of the coast; I am of opinion that the whole of those
observed to the south of the downs shortly betake themselves to inland haunts. In the well-wooded
district immediately north of this range of hills the country is admirably adapted to their habits ; and hero
several pairs take up their summer residence, usually appearing at a rather later date than their relative the
Common Whitcthroat.
The nest of this species is a particularly light and finely interwoven structure, being just sufficiently
strong to carry the weight of the young brood, and at the same time so slightly built with dry aud seasoned
materials as almost to convey the impression of being old and deserted. It is usually concealed in an
artful manner, though the situation in which it is placed is by no means unapproachable owing to (be denscness
of the cover. A spot is often selected among the stems of creeping brambles, or in stunted bushes of
blackthorn, at no great height from the ground; indeed it is seldom seen at a greater elevation than two or
three feet. On one occasion I detected no less than five nests of this species along a low broad hedgerow
(at most two hundred yards in length) dividing a couple of grass-fields in the Harrow country, about ten
miles north of London. The eggs are slightly smaller than those of the Common Wnitethroat; the tint of the
ground-colour is purer (at times approaching a pale bluish white), marked with yellowish-brown blotches
and spots on the larger end.
For some weeks previous to their departure these birds may be noticed iu small numbers in gardens
and sheltered plantations within a short distance of Ihe south coast. I conclude that the majoril v of our visitors
reach this country by crossing the English Channel, and also depart by the same route, as I never received a
single wing from the light-ships otf the east coast.