OEIGINAL SKETCHES OF BRITISH BIRDS. 509 



I make a distinction advisedly, as had I taken them into the 

 coverts, not only would they have proved an eyesore to game- 

 keepers, but, inasmuch as the entire absence of all noise should 

 be the watchword of those who study the habits of birds in their 

 woodland haunts, the mere presence of dogs would have tended 

 to defeat the very object I had in view. However, what I was 

 about to say was this : — I noticed one day they were taking un- 

 usual interest in the way I was poking and peering into the 

 roadside bushes, and they certainly saw me find and remove some 

 nests. Shortly afterwards they themselves took to what I can 

 only describe as " setting " bushes in which any nests might be 

 placed, and not only would they intelligently look round to see 

 if I was coming, and as much as to say, " Here you are ! " but 

 when I reached the spot they would display manifest signs of 

 delight, and get quite excited if a bird fluttered out in front of 

 them. I am afraid I cannot add I ever saw one "backing" the 

 other ! I am aware that some dogs have been trained to hunt 

 for eggs — viz. for those of Lapwings, but here was an instance of 

 a habit acquired solely from seeing me interesting myself in such 

 matters ; and in connection with the same I particularly made 

 note of two things — viz. they never once "set " an old nest, and 

 the bird was invariably on those they found. I presume it was 

 the scent of the latter that accounted for no false points, but it 

 was strange that they should have voluntarily taken upon them- 

 selves to lend me such serviceable aid. 



A characteristic feature of a large series of the nests of the 

 Whitethroat is the profusion of dark horse-hair which is used 

 for the lining, though, on occasions, I have noticed hair only 

 sparingly employed — much less seldom none at all. The 

 exterior of the structure is chiefly composed of the withered 

 stems of goose-grass and the cocoons of caterpillars, its com- 

 ponent parts being so dexterously and beautifully interwoven as 

 to render the nest quite firm and compact. It is perhaps worthy 

 of remark that Whitethroats are not in the habit of utilising thin 

 roots and fibrous rootlets, as some writers assert ; though, as in 

 the case of other species, it is obvious that varieties of construc- 

 tion may occur. The nest is more substantially built than those 

 of its smaller relative, and less so than those of the Garden 

 Warbler — it hits, in fact, the happy medium. 



