78 WILD LIFE AND THE CAMERA 



an egg moved, a tiny atom had outgrown its con- 

 fining shell, its bill already protruded when the 

 mother glanced among the feathers to see that all 

 was progressing favourably. Who shall say what 

 were her sensations when she saw that first sign of 

 life, the reward of her long vigil to which she had 

 been so untiringly faithful ? Can we ask whether 

 she realised what was happening, this great mystery 

 of life which was being enacted in that branch of 

 the apple tree ? Did she take it all as a matter of 

 course, just an episode in the day's work ? Perhaps 

 so, but it was none the less important to the new 

 mother. Should you doubt this statement, call to 

 mind, if you can, seeing a bird interrupted at this 

 crisis, what anguish is displayed, actually heart- 

 rending in its pitiful intensity, and^oubt if you will 

 whether or not there is an appreciation of the over- 

 whelming importance of this family event. Even 

 after the young are partly grown the parents have 

 their welfare so deeply at heart that they will risk, 

 yes, and even court disaster to themselves rather 

 than allow any harm to befall the precious young- 

 sters. What is more pathetic than the bird that 

 pretends to be disabled in order to coax the 

 intruder to follow her, that her young may have 

 time and opportunity to hide themselves. With 

 seemingly broken wings or broken legs dragging 

 painfully behind her she flutters along a few yards 

 ahead of the pursuer, until in some unknown way 

 she is assured that her young are in safety. Then 

 what a change ! Off she flies and is soon lost 

 to view. All of this demonstrates how seriously 

 birds regard the responsibilities of parentage. Let 



