Page:The British Warblers A History with Problems of Their Lives - 2 of 9.djvu/45

 sitting in a row, some facing one way, some another, evidently for warmth and comfort, since they are always most anxious to get as close to one another as possible. It is a pretty sight, and a most instructive one, to see the young following their parents, travelling from tree to tree, continually being supplied with food by the indefatigable mother; but they are more easily watched in gardens, which they frequently inhabit, searching the roses for the larvæ of different moths. The systematic way in which they travel through a rosebed is interesting, and the number of larvæ they consume astonishing. They seem to look upon those insects as a special delicacy, and for this reason alone, if for no other. I consider them some of the best natural gardeners we have.

The female is most pugnacious during this period when any common enemy approaches too closely, nor does this pugnacity decrease so long as her offspring are still under her care. When watching her on one occasion feeding her young, who were quite able to fly and thus escape any ordinary danger, I saw a Missel-Thrush settle on a very tall elm tree some distance away and commence to jerk his tail and chatter in a perfectly harmless manner, evidently with no evil intentions. He did not seem even to be aware of the presence of the Chiff-chaff and her family, who, however, appeared to resent his proximity, for, leaving the bushes, she flew straight up like a rocket to the top of the elm, and attacked the Missel-Thrush so vigorously that he at last flew away, pursued for some distance by the irate mother.

The male, although taking little or no notice of the young, does not leave his territory, as I have already mentioned, until towards the end of July. About this time both young and old often join the small flocks of Tits and different species of Warblers, which, roaming from field to field, travel thus in search of food—a merry party. The young have ample scope here for their playfulness, chasing whatever species happens to be nearest to them, whether Tit or Warbler. The adults are still the same restless, independent individuals,