ii8 THE STUDY OF ANIMAL LIFE 



The plaintive note of the wandering Cuckoo and 

 the gurgling response of the female bird; the loud 

 laugh of the Green Woodpecker, and the "chee, 

 chee, chee," of the Lesser-spotted species; the 

 ^* twit, wit, wit," of the Nuthatch, and the curious 

 notes of the mimicking Starling — these, and many- 

 more, are worthy of both note and comparison. 



Beyond their songs, their soul-inspiring min- 

 strelsy, birds utter calls, cries, and other notes, 

 deserving of close study, for by means of them an 

 unseen feathered being may be located and identi- 

 fied, and it is not necessary to shoot or catch the 

 wee mite for the purpose of identification. 



By their flight, as well as by reason of the vocal 

 utterances, birds can, with few exceptions, be 

 easily recognised, and when, as so often happens, 

 if patience and woodcraft be exercised, one is able 

 to get on intimate terms of acquaintance with 

 them, the many interesting points that occur 

 behind the veil in birdland go to make the study 

 of these winged treasures of our land a most 

 fascinating and pleasant hobby. 



If a bird finds out by experience that no harm is 

 likely to occur to it, it is remarkable to observe 

 how conscious of protection it becomes, and the 

 little secrets one is let into by a close and careful 

 watch of the tenants of Birdland are delightful to 

 notice, and make happy red-letter days, not 

 readily effaced from memory. 



