CONCLUSION 69 



some willows and alders adjoining a reed-bed 

 and made its headquarters in a small willow 

 bush. Not more than fifteen yards away, on the 

 edge of the main portion of the reeds, another 

 male was established and was paired on the 22nd 

 May. Each morning the single male behaved 

 in much the same way, singing continuously 

 whilst perched upon the bush. And so the 

 days passed by until it seemed improbable 

 that it would ever secure a mate, but one 

 appeared on the 20th June, and a nest was built 

 forthwith. 



Now it is difficult to believe that a chance 

 visit, even though repeated for a few mornings 

 in succession, could have accounted for the 

 Reed-Bunting remaining so persistently in the 

 marsh, or the Whitethroat in one corner of the 

 osier bed, or the Reed- Warbler in that one 

 particular willow. Not only so, but if a habit of 

 such evident strength can be acquired so readily, 

 we have a right to ask why it should only be 

 acquired in the spring — why not at every season ? 

 Considerations such as these lead to the belief 

 that there must be some congenital basis to 

 account for such persistent endeavour ; the more 

 so since it is difficult not to be impressed with 

 the conative aspect of the male's behaviour. To 

 a stranger, unacquainted with its previous 

 history, the bird might appear to be leading a 

 life of hesitation, whereas, if carefully watched, 

 its whole attitude will be found to betray 

 symptoms of a striving towards some end ; and 

 the frequent departure and return, which might 



