NATURE NEAR LONDON 



whitethroats or " nettle-creepers " are on the 

 watch, and seize the green creeping things cross- 

 ways in their beaks. Then they perch on a branch 

 three or four yards only from where I stand, silent 

 and motionless, and glance first at me and next at 

 a bush of bramble which projects out to the edge 

 of the footpath. So long as my eyes are turned 

 aside, or half closed, the bird perches on the branch, 

 gaining confidence every moment. The instant I 

 open my eyes, or move them, or glance towards 

 him, without either movement of head, hand, or 

 foot, he is ofF to the oak. 



His tiny eyes are intent on mine ; the moment 

 he catches my glance he retires. But in half a 

 minute affection brings him back, still with the 

 caterpillar in his beak, to the same branch. Whilst 

 I have patience to look the other way there he 

 stays, but again a glance sends him away. This 

 is repeated four or five times, till, finally, convinced 

 that I mean no harm, and yet timorous and fearful 

 of betrayal even in the act, he dives down into the 

 bramble bush. 



After a brief interval he reappears on the other 

 side of it, having travelled through and left his 

 prey with his brood in the nest there. Assured by 

 his success, his mate follows now, and once having 

 done it, they continue to bring caterpillars, appar- 

 ently as fast as they can pass between the trees and 

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