in Among the Birds in Wales 61 



common to be invariably attractive and interest- 

 ing ; it is not unlike the winding -up of an old- 

 fashioried watch or a musical box, if you imagine the 

 key turned very slowly at first, then more and more 

 quickly, until the position of the winder's hand 

 compels him to rest for a moment and begin the 

 operation afresh. Once more we are reminded of the 

 Alps ; for this is the bird which is so nearly related 

 to Bonelli's Warbler, and so like that little friend 

 of mine in habits, appearance, and voice. A most 

 curious voice is his, and though not strictly musical, 

 very far from unpleasing to the ear; the silvery 

 " shivering " quality of it which White noticed long 

 ago has a way of craving your attention, and growing 

 upon you as it comes nearer and nearer. Patience 

 is necessary if we would see the bird fairly ; and the 

 only way is to sit and wait till you have caught 

 him, even but for an instant, with your unassisted 

 eye, and marked the tree in which he is searching 

 for food. He will not wander far, unless you pursue 

 him ; the nest is in the fern not far away, and the 

 persistence of his note makes it probable that his 

 wife is still sitting on eggs, and that the duty of 

 finding food for hungry young has not yet begun. 

 Watch him till he comes near enough to show you 

 how all a bird's mind is put into his song ; as he 

 utters it his long, closed wiugs are slightly opened 

 and shaken, and his bill opens wider and wider, 



