64 MISADVENTURES OF BIRD-WATCHING 



danger, take advantage of every available bush 

 and tree when approaching their offspring. 



In the earlier days of summer I found a white- 

 throat's nest among the fern and nettles at the 

 margin of the copse. No great patience was 

 needed for the discovery ; the hen-bird descended 

 straight towards her home from an overhanging 

 twig, and, after she had on three occasions 

 entered the tangle from the same spot, I was 

 able, without treading down the undergrowth, 

 to turn aside the leaves that screened the little 

 domicile. When the young had grown healthy 

 and strong, I took them out of the nest that I 

 might carefully examine the development of 

 their wing feathers. They squeaked harshly 

 when first touched, and the hen-whit ethroat, 

 alarmed for their welfare, ventured close to me, 

 and continually scolded in a loud check-check' 

 check. Owing, doubtless, to this interference, the 

 little family next day left the nest ; and when, 

 towards evening, I again visited them, they were 

 hiding here and there in the tangle. Anxious to 

 secure a photograph of the brood, I sought high 

 and low, but the old birds were far too careful, 

 and baffled me completely by entering the bushes 

 — under which the fledglings were hiding — by one 

 way, and leaving by another. On hands and 

 knees I crawled into all sorts of likely places, but 

 failed entirely to get hold of the youngsters. I was 



