. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Birds; Natural history; Oiseaux; Sciences naturelles. W^'h â '^-i THE WHITETHrtOAT. 270 tlie beak is strong, straiglit, .sliarply-iioiiited, ami with a notch npon tlio upper mandible near its extremity. The i'eet have three toes in front ami one behind, and the claw of tlie liiiuler 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 WHiTETnR(iAT is abiuKlant in various parts of England, and is, perhaps, the best known
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Birds; Natural history; Oiseaux; Sciences naturelles. W^'h â '^-i THE WHITETHrtOAT. 270 tlie beak is strong, straiglit, .sliarply-iioiiited, ami with a notch npon tlio upper mandible near its extremity. The i'eet have three toes in front ami one behind, and the claw of tlie liiiuler 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 WHiTETnR(iAT is abiuKlant in various parts of England, and is, perhaps, the best known of all its tribe. It is a lively, brilliant little bird, and is remarkable for the rurious movement which it makes wlien 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 were about to rival the lark in its lofty flight. Rut after attaining a height of four or five feet, it slowly sinks upon tlie spot from which it had started, and again rises into the air with a fresh burst of music. Wliile singing, it seems full of life and eagerness, and the white feathers of its thi'oat, together with those of the crest, vibrate power- fully as the SM-eet notes are poured forth. The song is not a lengthened one, but is freqiiently repeated within a short si)ace of tinu;. Tlie ^Vhitethrout possesses a strong spirit of rivaliy, and will luatcli itself against almost any siingstor that begins to utter his strain, having even been known to challenge the nightingale to a friendly trial of vocal powers. Sonietinu's 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 s(ing only three days after its capture. The Jiaunts of this bird are geiu'rally anK>ng low bushes, brambles, underwood and ,
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Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1800, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectnaturalhistory
