CHIFF-CHAFF 
always prominent; this is a highly developed nervous 
temperament, leading often to acts of apparent inquisitiveness. 
I shall quote a number of cases showing under what very 
different conditions this characteristic is aroused. 
If any commotion is going on in the feathered world, the 
little fellow will come down from the tree-tops, and, if you 
stay motionless, will flit round you with an air of importance, 
uttering his plaintive whistle. 
When one is examining the nest of a Song-Thrush, in 
which the young are only just hatched, the old bird will call 
loudly and piteously; this is a sure attraction. 
One year, on May 12th, I was watching a pair of Nightin- 
gales mating, and while doing so disturbed a Weasel. The 
Nightingales at once noticed it, and, ceasing their courtship, 
settled, regardless of me, on the branches near, and com- 
menced to croak vigorously, flirting their tails up and down. 
This at once attracted a Chiff-chaff, who flitted round, adding 
to the noise as much as he was able. 
Early one July I was searching for the nest of a Fly- 
catcher. The birds were very much excited and, calling 
loudly, flew round my head; a Chiff-chaff immediately came 
down and behaved in the usual way. 
When Whitethroats have been courting I have seen him 
interfere in a most unwarrantable manner, also when the 
young of the same species have been engaged in their harm- 
less games. 
To the scolding parties that are to be seen amongst the 
Sedge- Warblers he is a frequent visitor. 
A more curious case is the following: Two male Black- 
caps, who had that morning arrived, were engaged in a frantic 
struggle for their breeding territory. They were flying at and 
pecking one another vigorously. While thus engaged a Chiff- 
chaff flew down from the trees and joined in the fray, attack- 
ing first one, then the other, indiscriminately. During the 
pauses in the contest he would hop round excitedly, watch- 
ing the combatants closely, and whenever the fight recom- 
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