88 NATURE'S STORY OF THE YEAR 



flycatchers behaved in precisely the same manner. 

 In April a male robin gave some food in the 

 same manner to his mate. Both birds often uttered 

 their call-note. 



Several male chaffinches, before nesting-time, 

 gave captured insects to what seemed their in- 

 tended mates. All of the insects were captured 

 in flight. The chaffinches were full of ardour, the 

 males all a-flutter with excitement, following the 

 females, and with the cuckoo-like flight, which is 

 one of the bird's surest signs of love, and they 

 were repeating the soft love-note almost inces- 

 santly. 



On one of the first days of May two willow- 

 wrens were busy in a hedge. The male often sang, 

 but was mainly intent on keeping near his com- 

 panion, who appeared to be a female bird. She 

 was seemingly indifferent to his presence, and 

 hunted for insects with all the graceful activity of 

 her species. The male was greatly excited, his 

 wings lowered and pulsating, and his call-note 

 prolonged to a scream rather than a chirp. 

 Through the telescope it was evident that she 

 also was trembling a little. Suddenly the male 



