8o Summer Studies of Birds and Books CHAP. 



vated ground. We took one egg only, and after some 

 further search returned to the village, and went on 

 our way to Meiringen, where we were to sleep that 

 night. 



Next morning I went to the spot where I had first 

 heard my bird two years before. There is always a 

 pleasing excitement in revisiting such a spot, just as 

 there is when you call unexpected at the house of an 

 old friend and wonder whether you will find him at 

 home. Has he left the old place, or will he start up 

 from his chair to welcome you with that brightness 

 of the eye which sudden and genuine pleasure always 

 charms into being ? Ornithologists know how home- 

 loving the birds are, and especially the various little 

 "Warblers" as we call them; rarely do they disappoint 

 us year after year, when we wait on them in their 

 accustomed haunts as May comes round. It matters 

 little whether they are the same individuals who 

 entertained us before; at any rate, like trout, the 

 little things take care that some one shall be there to 

 welcome us, and the "living" in the reed-bed or willow 

 is seldom vacant long. 



My old friend of the allotments by the Aar was at 

 home that morning (19th June), and treated me to a 

 very delicious and amusing concert, missed unluckily 

 by my companion, who had been unwell and unable 

 to join me. " I am now writing," says my diary of 

 that day, " in a cool spot between the allotments and 



