WILLOW-WARBLER, WOOD-WARBLER, CHIFFCHAFF 69 



from the nest before the time. They at once scattered, and 

 concealed themselves in the grass so effectually that I searched 

 in vain. No sooner had they left the nest than one of the parents, 

 no douht the mother, all ruffled with anger, and uttering notes of 

 menace, flew almost within a foot or two of my face. The cock was 

 also angry, but less bold, as might be expected, for he was the same 

 that failed so signally to pluck up enough courage to carry food to 

 his young. Here it will be noted that the birds abandoned the 

 method of feigning injury. There may have been something in 

 the circumstances to account for this, or it may have been an 

 individual peculiarity. 



Once out of the nest the young, able to fly only very short distances, 

 remain, at least for a few days, on or close to the ground, and are there 

 fed by their parents. They are probably more exposed at this time 

 to their various enemies, cats, weasels, rats, the crow tribe, and 

 other birds and beasts of prey, than at any other, for they attract 

 attention by their repeated calls for food. When discovered they 

 flutter a little way, seek to hide, and sometimes are content to tuck 

 their heads in a tuft of grass, being apparently under the impression 

 that, if they cannot see, they cannot be seen. Later, as their wings 

 grow stronger, they mount up into the trees, where they are com- 

 paratively safe, and where they may be seen in little family parties 

 waiting to be fed. (PL 53.) 



Later still they begin to roam, sometimes with Tits or other 

 species. In the autumn, willow-wrens, young and old, are frequently 

 to be seen in our gardens, and a curious habit which they there 

 display has been put to use by the naturalist-photographer. It is that 

 of chasing individuals of other species, with whom they chance 

 to meet. The chase "seems more than half play, but the pursued 

 bird does not always appreciate this ; then there are angry cries, 

 and sometimes feathers fly. Sparrows object a good deal ; Tits 

 are the favourite game, and they take it better. This curious 

 fancy for chasing Tits may be turned into an opportunity for 



