162 OUT WITH THE BIRDS 



We did not rest very long; that would have 

 been an impossible feat for Scout Henry while 

 on a real exploring expedition, and I figured 

 that energy that just had to be spent might as 

 well go into a paddle, so we put off again. Soon 

 rounding one of the bends, we came upon a 

 mother bluebill and her brood of well-grown 

 young. For some time they swam ahead of the 

 canoe ; then when it gained upon them they rose, 

 and though quite unable to fly, pattered along on 

 the surface of the water. They employed both 

 wings and legs — screw propeller and side- 

 wheeler combined in one — and this was by far 

 their speediest means of locomotion. It always 

 gave them a lead, though it plainly tired them. 

 Then the little mother came back at us heroically, 

 threw herself frantically in front of the canoe, 

 cried distressfully, and flapped around lamely in 

 circles on the water. It was the only way she 

 knew of trying to stop us, and her own safety 

 was of no account when measured by, that of her 

 precious toddlers ahead. A hungry Indian might 

 have struck her low with his paddle, but such is 

 the way of the wild mothers that her life would 

 have been given freely. 



As the weaker ones became fagged, they 



