1 1 8 BIRDS OF THE WAVE AND WOODLAND 



Whence comes this Httle musician ? It may be from 

 Persia or Abyssinia, or perhaps it has only stepped across, so 

 to speak, from Norway. But here it is with its nest among 

 the ivy and periwinkles on the bank, and its beautiful eggs, 

 delicious little mottled ovals of jasper, complete in number 

 in their cobweb cup. It is odd how few people, even those 

 who are " fond of birds," and have large gardens and grounds, 

 know this litde visitor by sight, or even by song. And yet it 

 needs only a few minutes' patience when once the blackcap is 

 seen to watch it to its nest, and that once done it can be 

 examined, as I have examined it. with a magnifying-glass at 

 the end of a walking-stick, while it sits upon its eggs. Few 

 birds are really more trustful in the places they may choose 

 for their nests, or more courageous in remaining upon them 

 when approached, than this pretty bird with the lovely voice. 



" Deep mounts the Tnytle in sequestered boivcr.'" 



Beattie. 



" The Ringdove in the enibozvering ivy, yet 



Keeps up her love latncnt.'" 



Shelley. 



Another bird seldom seen, or when seen recognised, is 

 the turde-dove. Its purring in the thicket is mistaken for 

 the wood-pigeon's by ears that are not on their guard for 



