Music of the Wild 



thej' select in a manner known to themselves; at 

 times I have seen them stand motionless, ^vith one 

 side of the head turned toward the ground, as 

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

 thought it possible that they hear insect sounds, 

 as we maj' 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 deeply 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^-jg ^j-|^ several times uncovered the earth by this 

 method. In eacli ojjeration he appeared to listen 

 before he selected a spot to work upon. Once my 

 sense of humor spoiled a fine study of his mate. 

 She was ajjproaching the nest to feed the young, 

 when he attem])ted 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 side^xise and rolled 

 him over. He did not know Avhat had happened, 

 and he appeared so astonished and cried out so 

 indignantly that I lauglied and helped increase 

 his fright. Pie dashed from the thicket uttering 



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