i8o BIRDS 



and at no season of the year is Nature stalking 

 more exciting than when nest building is in full 

 swing. Here again, however, absolute quietude 

 is essential, as many of the shy Warblers and other 

 birds have a habit of slipping very noiselessly off 

 their nests. This is especially noticeable in the 

 case of the Greater Whitethroat, and unless one 

 is very quick it is most likely the dumpy little 

 creature will slip off her frail nest secreted in some 

 Bramble bush or Stinging Nettle quite unobserved. 



If two boys go a-nesting, that is, of course, to 

 find nests, note down where built, what they are 

 composed of, the number and colour of the eggs, 

 any interesting features, and, of course, the name 

 of the owner. It is a good plan when stalking 

 along a hedgerow for one boy to walk on one side 

 of the hedge and the other to walk on the opposite 

 side. By this means a good deal of unnecessary 

 climbing and scratching will be avoided, as each 

 boy is able to peep into the nest which is on his 

 side of the hedgerow. 



I have found, too, that when the trees and 

 bushes are covered with leaves it is a good idea to 

 carry a stick and tap the herbage as you go along. 

 There is no need to go about it as if you had a 

 scythe or sickle with which to mow down every- 

 thing within reach, for just a gentle tapping will 

 be sufficient to flush most birds you are in search 

 of. Be on the alert for any bird to fly out, mark 



