THE SINGING BIRDS. 



253 



above described, but flutter about with a constant brisk agitation of the tail that cannot fail to betray 

 their presence to an observant eye. While perched the body is usually held erect, but is kept some- 

 what bowed down as the bird hops upon the ground ; this latter mode of progression is accomplished 

 with some difficulty, each long hop, or rather leap, being followed by a succession of rapid gesticula- 

 tions with the head before another effort is made. Their flight is capable of being long sustained, but 

 is somewhat inelegant, and appears unsteady, as it is usually undulating and carried on by a series of 

 very irregular efforts. The same restless activity is also observable in the conduct of these birds 

 towards all their feathered companions ; the slightest injury or annoyance is resented with much fury, 

 and even the sportive exercises in which they frequently indulge usually terminate with a series of 

 violent flappings and peckings given on either side, rather in downright earnest than in play. The 





THE FIELD TREE WARBLER, OR WILLOW WREN {PhylhpilCUSte TroMlns). 



nest is carefully concealed in a hollow in the ground or in the trunk of some tree, and built entirely 

 by the female, who commences her operations by hacking at the hole or aperture till it is of the 

 requisite depth. The utmost caution is displayed by the anxious mother to prevent the discovery of 

 her future abode. For this reason she seldom works except during the early morning, and at other 

 times never remains near the scene of her operations. The nest itself is cone-shaped, with thick 

 walls, in one side of winch a hole is left for entrance ; dry leaves, stalks, moss, aqd grass are 

 employed for the exterior, while the interior is snugly lined with feathers, those of partridges being 

 usually preferred. From five to seven eggs form a brood ; these are laid about May, and are oval in 

 shape, smooth, glossy, and white, more or less spotted with light red. During the period of 

 incubation the female displays much anxiety for the safety of her eggs, and even when alarmed will 

 not leave them until she is forcibly removed. At mid-day her mate takes his place on the nest for an 

 hour or two, but with this exception gives her no assistance ; both parents, however, combine to 

 rear and protect the nestlings, and endeavour to attract the attention of any intruder on their privacy 



