308 BIRD WATCHING 



morning is, indeed, a favourite time with them, and it 

 is then, in the beginning of spring, when nests have 

 yet to be built and before the birds are properly- 

 married, that one can best observe how powerful a 

 vehicle of hatred and rivalry their melodious strains 

 are. I have closely watched two rival males for nearly 

 an hour. Let anyone refer to my account of the rival 

 wheatears, substitute a plantation with bush and tangle, 

 and the turf- bordered roadside adjoining, for the 

 open, sandy warrens, and song — but much more fre- 

 quently indulged in — for the little frenzied dancings,* 

 and the two pictures will be identical, or nearly so. 

 There was the same keeping close to, yet not appear- 

 ing to follow, each other, the attending to each other's 

 motions without seeming specially to watch them, the 

 drawing near and, then, getting apart, only to approach 

 again, the little bursts of fury — but here, mostly, 

 harmonious — preceding each engagement, and sur- 

 mounting, each time, that discretionary part of valour, 

 which, in either case, both the birds seemed largely to 

 possess. There were three engagements, one bird, each 

 time, making, as though no longer able to control it- 

 self, a sudden little frenzied dash at the other. In no 

 case, however, was the conilict very severe, and the 

 attacked bird soon flew away, with which result the 

 attacker seemed well satisfied. It looked more like a 

 little furious play than a real fight, and so, no doubt, it 

 would, were Moth or Cobweb to have a tussle with 

 Peaseblossom or Mustardseed. Oberon and Titania, 

 indeed, " squared " so, that — 



" All their elves, for fear. 

 Crept into acorn-cups, and hid them there." 



* The wheatears, however, sang as well as danced. 



