THE WHITETHROATS NEST . 107 



just long enough to give a few snatches of its 

 attractive song, and then dropping like a little 

 ragged ball of feathers among the flowers. As we 

 approach, a low muffled sound kurrr-kurrr is 

 heard, and we recognise the Whitethroat, which is 

 ever on the watch around its nest. As we go still 

 nearer, the note is raised in vehemence, and the 

 feathers on the little creature's head are erect so as 

 to form a crest. 



The nest is often built almost on the ground, 

 supported by thick grass and stems of the cow- 

 parsnip. The hen during sitting-time will slip 

 quietly off the eggs, and join her mate in the 

 hedgerow ; and if we presume to look at the eggs 

 a loud and angry chuck-uck-uck-uck is heard. 

 While photographing the sitting bird my camera 

 was well hidden under an improvised rubbish-heap ; 

 it was a long time before the hen would return, and 

 when she did so she first hopped on to the rubbish- 

 heap and apparently well examined the strange 

 thing placed near her nest. While peering into 

 the hole I had left for the lens to point through, 

 she disarranged the grasses in front and so 

 obstructed the view ; she then hopped back to the 

 nest and became comfortably seated, but only for a 

 few moments, however, for probably finding out that 

 the eggs were uncomfortably arranged, she sat on 



