WHITETHROAT, a name given to two little birds belong ing to the Sylviidae or warblers (q.v.). The common whitethroat or nettlecreeper, Sylvia cinerea, is widely spread over Great Brit ain, in some places common. It is a restless bird, and in spring the male often gives his song on the wing. The lesser whitethroat, Sylvia curruca, is less often seen. The plumage is smoky-grey above and white below. Its song is unusual, consisting of a series
of repeated notes, the usual "warble" being reduced to a short preface inaudible at a little distance. The nests of each of these species are built of bents or other plant-stalks, and usually lined with horsehair ; the eggs are spotted with olive-brown.