MISADVENTURES OF BIRD-WATCHING 63 



the bramble spray, and afterwards, for a moment, 

 remained with her young. Her persistent 

 endeavours to lead me away to a safe distance 

 occupied by far the greater part of the time spent 

 near the copse. 



While I was in durance vile, held there by the 

 bull, the warbler suddenly changed her alarm 

 signals into distinct calls to her mate ; her voice 

 was pitched in a higher key than before ; and, 

 making note of the change, I was persuaded that 

 before long she would gain confidence and fly 

 over to the bramble spray. But, after making a 

 preliminary tour of inspection, she again pre- 

 tended to be deeply distressed on account of the 

 strange being lying still, but vigilant, by the 

 furze brake. 



Such disappointments as have just been 

 descirbed are by no means infrequent, but birds 

 are seldom so shy that the discovery of their 

 nesting-place is impossible. With the warblers, 

 and with a number of woodland birds, it is, 

 however, an easier task to find the nest than 

 to find the young birds which have just ventured 

 forth into the world. The fledglings, directly 

 they gain a little confidence in the use of their 

 wings, are scattered about in the undergrowth, 

 and there, in turn, each is fed by the parents. 

 The old birds are now more than ever keenly 

 alive to the value of secrecy, and, if they suspect 



