appearance in small numbers. A few, however, may be seen about the
fields and hedgerows in the more cultivated parts of the country. It
certainly has not got the reputation for mischief in the garden it has
in England, as none of the gardeners I asked about it, and who were
complaining grievously of the mischief done by birds, ever mentioned the
Whitethroat, or knew the bird when asked about it.

Professor Ansted includes the bird in his list, and restricts it to
Guernsey, but I see no reason why it should not occur equally in Sark
and Herm. There is no specimen at present in the Museum.


39. LESSER WHITETHROAT. _Sylvia curruca_, Linnaeus. French, "Bee-fin
babillard."--Like the Whitethroat, the Lesser Whitethroat is a regular,
but by no means a numerous summer visitant to Guernsey. I saw a few in
the willow-hedges about the Grand Mare, and in one or two other places
near there, and young Le Cheminant had one or two eggs in his
collection, probably taken about L'Eree.

The Lesser Whitethroat is included in Professor Ansted's list, and only
marked as occurring in Guernsey. There is at present no specimen in the
Museum.


40. BLACKCAP. _Sylvia atricapilla_, Linnaeus. French, "Fauvette à tête
noire," "Bec-fin à tête noire."--Though generally known as the Guernsey
Nightingale, the Blackcap, though a regular, is by no means a numerous
summer visitant. I have, however, always seen a few about every time I
have been in the Island in the summer. There are a few eggs in the
Museum, and in Le Cheminant's collection.