PROTECTIVE INSTINCT OF BIRDS. ii 



going for a considerable distance under the surrounding 

 vegetation ere it appears, by its silent motions thus lead- 

 ing an inexperienced intruder far away from her treasured 

 home. Again, how silently the Bunting leaves her charge, 

 and what a deceptive little creature is the Grasshopper 

 Warbler ! I have often been deceived by their silent 

 motions when in the neighbourhood of their nests. 

 Silence, again, is the protective instinct of many of the 

 Thrushes, some of them remaining faithful to their charge 

 until compelled to leave it^ and then as silently as pos- 

 sible. But should the bird find her nest discovered quite 

 accidentally, as many are, her instinct is not put in force, 

 and the faithful parent flies quickly off, and anxiously 

 watches the movements of the aggressor from her perch- 

 ing-place near at hand. I have known many of these birds 

 allow themselves to be touched by the hand, and remain 

 silent, trying to the utmost their peculiar protective in- 

 stinct for the welfare of their treasured eggs or young. The 

 Pipits, again, employ silence for the safety of their nests, 

 the nest being almost buried in the herbage around, and 

 the watchful bird remaining silently upon her charge, 

 observing with anxious eye the motions of the intruder 

 till he retreats from her ' castle,' or perhaps almost treads 

 upon the devoted parent and her house. When forced 

 reluctantly to leave it, she does so as quietly as possible, 

 and in most if not all cases this silent protective instinct 

 is crowned with success and safety. If these birds were 

 not gifted with this peculiar instinct, and left their nests 

 in a precipitate manner, numbers of their eggs or young 

 would be destroyed, which, however, through its agency, 

 are brought up to maturity under its protective 

 influences. 



Alluring motions. — I consider this peculiar form of 

 protective instinct one of the most beautiful evidences of 



