Music of the Wild 



thej^ select in a manner known to tlieniselves; at 

 times I have seen them stand motionless, with one 

 side of the head tnrned toward the ground, as 

 robins do, and ajspear to listen, so that I have 

 thought it possible that they hear insect sounds, 

 as we may if we bring our ears close earth. When 

 a spot is chosen they jump upon it with toes wide- 

 spread, and sink their sharp nails deej^ly into the 

 leaves; then with half -lifted wings, to aid the leg 

 and body muscles, they spring as far forward as 

 they can and drop their load. In this manner I 

 have seen them at one effort clear a space as large 

 as a breakfast plate, on which to scratch for food. 

 Once as I crouched, covered by a tan crava- 

 nette exactly the color of the leaves, beside a stump 

 A Lost in the forest, a male bird came within six feet of 

 Study j-j-jg gj^j several times uncovered the earth l)y this 

 method. In each operation he appeared to listen 

 before he selected a sj^ot to work upon. Once my 

 sense of humor spoiled a fine stud}" of his mate. 

 She was approaching the nest to feed the young, 

 when he attempted to lift a large layer of leaves. 

 He must have gripped securely a fine, thread-like 

 root that lifted for a few inches and then became 

 taut. The shock whirled him sidewise and rolled 

 him over. He did not knoAv what bad liappened, 

 and he appeared so astonished and cried out so 

 hidignantly that I laughed and helped increase 

 his fright. He dashed from the thicket uttering 



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