THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE HEDGEROWS. 143 



green hazel nuts, lend them a new glory and form a 

 further attraction for the feathered tribes. So thickly 

 do these old-time hedges grow that the very hares and 

 rabbits cannot get through them, save here and there 

 where recognised " runs " have been formed by these 

 little rodents a fact which the observant poacher takes 

 advantage of in laying his snares. 



We will visit the hedges as soon as the first faint signs 

 of spring are stealing over them. It is early yet for 

 nests, but we shall be sure to meet with the home of the 

 Song Thrush in course of construction. We must discard 

 the still leafless portions of the hedges, and confine our 

 attention to the scattered clumps of holly and yew. 

 Here the first nests of the Song Thrush and the Black- 

 bird are almost invariably made. Part the green prickly 

 branches asunder, and wait a moment until the eye 

 becomes accustomed to the gloom ; then peer about in 

 the centre of the bush, low down among the larger 

 branches. There, away to the left, are a few tufts of dry 

 twitch. This is the commencement of a nest ; but 

 whether of Thrush or Blackbird we are yet unable to 

 say. Day by day we may visit this new building, and 

 watch the method of its construction, provided due care 

 is exercised not to alarm the little architects. It is that 

 of a Song Thrush ; and seven or eight days will elapse 

 before the structure is completed, though I have known 

 this bird make a nest in a much shorter time. In the 



