Page:The British Warblers A History with Problems of Their Lives - 4 of 9.djvu/45

 second, which is a difficult and complex problem, I shall have somewhat to say in the life of the Lesser Whitethroat.

Apart from the actual song, there are numerous call notes, the most peculiar one being the soft hissing sound, with which everyone who has walked along a country lane in summer must be familiar. Of the others, the most noticeable is the one both sexes are accustomed to utter rapidly when excited, a high-pitched and very harsh note.

The power of imitation, although not great, is well marked, and is principally in evidence during periods of great excitement, notes of the Blackcap and Chaffinch being intermingled with the true song.

Their food is principally insects, Chironomidæ forming a large part of their diet early in the season, but larvæ, especially of Chimatobia brumata and Tortrix viridana, are taken in large numbers.

In the autumn they frequent the elder bushes and feed upon the berries.