CHAPTER IX 



SOME CURIOUS NOTES FROM MY DIARY 



unexpected sometimes happens to the field 

 -- naturalist, for although wild creatures generally 

 behave according to the established habits of their kind, 

 occasionally an individual will startle the observer by 

 stepping right outside the path of ordinary behaviour 

 and doing something of the most original character. 



For example, some years ago whilst sitting in my 

 hiding-tent waiting for a song thrush to come back to 

 her nest with food for a very hungry family of chicks, 

 I saw a cock robin industriously feeding his mate sitting 

 in a nest containing five eggs only a few yards away. 

 He brought caterpillars and small worms along at such 

 frequent intervals that Mrs. Robin became satiated and 

 would not open her mouth to take another morsel from 

 his bill, in spite of much tempting and hopping round. 

 To my surprise, and delight also, I might add, he then 

 flew over and gave the despised food to the young 

 throstles ! and, needless to say, it was gulped down by 

 them with great relish. After it had all been adminis- 

 tered Mr. Redbreast stood and examined the little 

 family with manifest admiration, first turning one eye 

 and then the other to gaze upon the chicks. He fed 

 them again and again with the most commendable 

 industry, until his benevolence was cut short by the 



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