CONCEALMENT. 85 



her eggs supremely indifferent to the noise. So 

 absolutely assured had she become of the harmless 

 nature of the tent, that no sound from within could 

 now cause her even momentary alarm ; interest 

 she had exhibited in some of my vocal efforts but 

 not fear. It then occurred to me to show a sign 

 of movement fiom within, and I rapped the inside 

 of the tent next to her, making the whole thing 

 shake. Instantly she was as if electrified and 

 almost before I realized it, was fifty yards away, 

 wheeling, swooping, and sounding the alarm. 



Movement more Alarming than Noise. 



We need not dwell longer on this case, an outline 

 is sufficient, and from it many useful deductions 

 may be drawn, and incidentally it shows the 

 possibilities of the hiding-tent. One of the most 

 practically useful points to notice, is how much 

 more alarming to a bird is a slight movement than 

 a strange sound. It is hardly necessary to point 

 out that such cases as this are very rare, and, when 

 occurring, are only brought about by the observ- 

 ance of the utmost caution and patience in the 

 early stages, and further, even with this observance, 

 many birds would directly forsake their nests 

 were such measures attempted. Moreover, such 

 a close approach as four feet is not only quite 

 unnecessary but really detrimental to the best 



