64 MISADVENTUKES OF BIRD-WATCHING 



danger, take advantage of every available bush 

 and tree when approaching their offspring. 



In the earlier days of summer I found a white- 

 throat's nest among the fern and nettles at the 

 margin of the copse. No great patience was 

 needed for the discovery ; the hen-bird descended 

 straight towards her home from an overhanging 

 twig, and, after she had on three occasions 

 entered the tangle from the same spot, I was 

 able, without treading down the undergrowth, 

 to turn aside the leaves that screened the little 

 domicile. When the young had grown healthy 

 and strong, I took them out of the nest that I 

 might carefully examine the development of 

 their wing feathers. They squeaked harshly 

 when first touched, and the hen-whitethroat, 

 alarmed for their welfare, ventured close to me, 

 and continually scolded in a loud check-check- 

 check. Owing, doubtless, to this interference, the 

 little family next day left the nest ; and when, 

 towards evening, I again visited them, they were 

 hiding here and there in the tangle. Anxious to 

 secure a photograph of the brood, I sought high 

 and low, but the old birds were far too careful, 

 and baffled me completely by entering the bushes 

 under which the fledglings were hiding by one 

 way, and leaving by another. On hands and 

 knees I crawled into all sorts of likely places, but 

 failed entirely to get hold of the youngsters. I was 



