WITH THE THICKET BIRDS 125 



living things. To him who reads thus, Nature 

 gives up easily many of her secrets, and it was 

 on this day that was revealed the mystery of the 

 robin, how his bright little eye sees so well. 



It was a water-thrush that started the give- 

 away. He came dodging along the crooked 

 path leading up to the tent; and though at first 

 glance he might have passed for an oven bird, 

 his wagging tail and quick, erratic movements 

 proclaimed his real identity. At the end of 

 each turn in his course, he picked up a leaf with 

 a quick but deliberate motion, turned it over 

 and went on, stopping a time or two to seize 

 and stow away some insect morsel so suddenly 

 turned up to the light. Then over the leaves 

 came a big cock robin. He bobbed along in 

 his characteristic way, three hops and a pose, 

 and he also turned over some leaves. But he 

 did not flip every promising-looking or gamey- 

 appearing leaf as did the water-thrush. In- 

 stead, he turned over but very few; though 

 when he did so, he found something worth 

 while. 



He was heading right toward the fire-place, 

 and because the figure lounging in the camp- 

 chair did not move, he came straight along till 



