April 



have abandoned the domestic state, and packed for 

 migration, leaving the reshuffling of the matrimonial 

 cards until their return in the following spring. 



Nests of the blackbird, song-thrush, and hedge- 

 sparrow were now to be found in every hedgerow 

 alas ! too frequently robbed of their contents. I had 

 marked down several for the camera just before 

 Easter, but found them all empty a few days later, 

 if not bodily removed. Even a magpie's nest in a 

 high tree, which I had photographed on the Friday, 

 on Monday following lay at the foot of the tree a 

 heap of dislocated twigs. The trail of the serpent 

 was but too evident ; a ladder had been formed by 

 driving large nails into the bare trunk of the tree 

 until the lowest branches were reached, and from 

 this act of insensate vandalism it is probable that not 

 the magpie only, but a fine tree also will suffer 

 irreparable damage. 



Although the blackbird and song-thrush are two 

 of the shyest birds, skulking habitually in dark 

 corners, both, strangely, often choose the most 

 exposed situations in which to build their nests ; 

 and that at a time when the leaves are not yet grown 

 to afford them cover. As a rule, the thrush builds 

 in what at the time is a naked hawthorn, whilst the 

 blackbird, in keeping with its stealthier character, 

 generally chooses a holly or other evergreen. Any 

 advantage, however, which might accrue to the 

 blackbird from such a choice is discounted by its 

 excessive timidity ; for, whilst a thrush will watch an 



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