MICE IMITATING THE GRASSHOPPER'S CHIRP. 



131 



Fig. 3. Relates to another clus- 

 ter of spiders' eggs, similar in its 

 situation to the preceding, but dif- 

 ferent in shape and colour, being 

 globular and brown. For what 

 purpose this suspension is intended 

 is not very apparent, unless it be 

 for the purpose of placing the eggs 

 beyond the reach of predacious 

 larvae, and such apterous (for it 

 would not avail with the diptera, 

 &c.) insects as might devour 

 them. 



MICE IMITATING THE GRASSHOPPER'S CHIRP. 



In a field opposite Porto Bello Farm, near Wormwood Scrubbs, one 

 evening in last May, my attention was attracted by a noise at the 

 bottom of a hedge, resembling the chirping of a grasshopper, but 

 accompanied by a rustling among the dry reeds and fallen sticks that 

 lay beneath, caused by some little animal running and jumping under 

 and over them alternately. This circumstance I have often observed 

 in the country ; and from the hasty glimpse which I have now and then 

 obtained of the animal, I came to the conclusion that it was some shy 

 little bird, and which for the want of a name I christened the hedge- 

 creeper, but since I read " White's Selbourne," I renounced that name, 

 feeling satisfied that it must be the grass-hopper warbler. But in the 

 present instance, I embraced the opportunity of assuring myself as to 

 its species ; with Avhich view I cautiously advanced towards the hedge, 

 and patiently awaited, hoping to obtain another sight of it ; but my 

 approach had frightened it, and all was still for some time. I was 

 bending over the bank, when suddenly I heard the same noise as before, 

 and saw the little author of it run out from under the dead stalks, and 

 giving a fluttering sort of jump, which defied one to form any idea of 

 its shape ; it concealed itself again in the dried rubbish under which it 

 ran, uttering its grasshopper-like chirp all the while. I now had my 

 " eyes about me," and remaining ass perfectly still and motionless as 



