BIRD STORIES 



or sulk because they were left behind. First they dab- 

 bled about and helped themselves, for dessert, to some 

 plant growing under water, gulping down rather large 

 mouthfuls of it. Then they grew drowsy; and what 

 could have been pleasanter than going to sleep floating, 

 with the whole cove for a cradle? 



You could never guess how those youngsters got 

 ready for their nap. Just like a grown-up! Each Olair 

 rolled over on one side, till the white under-part of his 

 body showed above water. Then he waved the exposed 

 leg in the air, and tucked it away, with a quick flip, 

 under the feathers of his flank. Thus one foot was left in 

 the water, for the bird to paddle with gently while he 

 slept, so that he would not be drifted away by the wind. 

 But that day one of the tired water-babies went so sound 

 asleep that he did n't paddle enough, and the wind 

 played a joke on him by shoving him along to the snaggy 

 edge of the cove and bumping him against a log. That 

 was a surprise, and he woke with a start and swam 

 quickly back to the middle of the cove, where the other 

 Olair was resting in the open water. 



While their children were napping, Gavia and Father 

 Loon went to a party. On the way, they stopped for a 

 bit of fishing by themselves. Gavia began by suddenly 

 flapping around in a big circle, slapping the water with 

 wing-tips and feet, and making much noise as she spat- 



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