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INTRODUCTION. Ixvil

Genus Luscrnia.
A very well-defined genus, comprising two species, both of which are summer birds in Central Europe.
One of them, our well-known Nightingale, comes to us in spring, and retires again in autumn. It has been
ascertained that both species winter in more southern climes; but we really know little respecting the extent

of their range in that direction.

106. LuscintA PHILOMELA ; ‘ ‘ 5 2 : : Wolk, Il, JA AW

NIGHTINGALE.

A summer migrant to the southern and central parts of England, but not to Scotland or Ireland. A full

account of this charming bird will be found opposite the Plate on which it is represented.

Genus Sytvra.
In the present work both the Whitethroats have been regarded as typical examples of the genus Syleia.
These and some other species abound in Europe during the months of summer ; others, again, are spread

over Northern Africa, India, and China. Their food consists of insects and berries.

107. SYLVIA CINEREA. ; : : : : ‘ : ; : y : Vol. II. Pl. LVIL.
WaITETHROAT.

When spring assumes her most cheery aspect, our hedges put forth their leafy verdure, and the goose-
grass ramifies among the herbage of the ditches, the saucy Whitethroat makes its appearance, and, after
spending the summer and rearing its brood, departs again in autumn to winter in warmer climes. It IS,

therefore, a true summer migrant, which visits all the three kingdoms, but is rather scarce in some parts of

Scotland.
108. Sytv1a curruca ve : : : : : , ‘ ‘ ; Vol. II. Pl. LVIII.

Lesser WuitetrHRoat.

A summer migrant from the south, which arrives rather later than the preceding species, betakes itself
to gardens and woodlands, sings its garrulous peculiar song while searching for aphides aud other insects
among the leaves of the cherry- and other trees of the garden or forest, is spread over the central portion

of England, is rare in Cornwall and Scotland, and has not been seen in Ireland.

Genus Meuizopuiuus.

Mr. G. R. Gray enumerates, in his recently published ‘ Hand-list of Birds,’ three species of this genus;

but I feel assured that our well-known Dartford Warbler must stand as its sole representative.