6 STRA Y FEA THERS FROM MANY BIRDS. 



the distant noise, flew leisurely away ; the squirrel 

 dropped his half-eaten acorn and bounded into the 

 branches ; the Ring Doves, startled at this, took wing ; 

 the Creeper disappeared behind the trunk, and then the 

 active scene of wild life had vanished like a phantom 

 from my gaze. Sometimes a bird suddenly perches in 

 the branches near you ; he sees you, and is all alert and 

 nervous to be off ; but as long as you keep your gaze 

 fixed, say on a branch or leaf behind him, he will stay ; 

 move your eyes in the least, the spell of confidence is 

 broken, and he is gone. 



All wild creatures seem gifted with an amazing power 

 of distinguishing an enemy from one who bodes them 

 no harm. See how confidently the Rooks and Gulls will 

 follow the plough close to the farmer's heels, or how the 

 Starlings will flock to the fields, even whilst the manure 

 is being spread ; but let a stranger accompany the 

 plough or cart and not a bird will venture near. Birds 

 soon get accustomed to certain persons, and pay little 

 heed to the field labourers and shepherds, as if they 

 knew full well such persons never sought to injure them. 

 That is one of the grand secrets of observation. You 

 must seek to inspire the confidence of indifference, and 

 then all is easy Some birds will allow you to watch 

 them, so long as you keep moderately still ; others are 

 off the moment they get a glimpse of you. As a rule the 

 larger the bird or animal the shyer and more wary it is. 



