THE PRAIRIES 



329 



althoiig-li we reached the nest within ten seconds after they 

 had loft it. Nor did they apparently return to their home 

 until they were directed to do so. The commands of the par- 

 ent mnst have been given from the air, since pictures show- 

 ini>- the old bird bi'oodinii' its chicks were made as soon as the 

 parent )-otniiicd to the nest. The old bii-d invariably sprang 

 into the air at tlic click of the shutter and the em])ty nest 



" Two little Terns " 



proved that tlie young birds deserted it at tlie same mo- 

 ment, and this performance they repeated as long as their 

 strength lasted. 



An aged punt, which I trust was launched with an ai)ol- 

 ogy to the lake, was used to explore the reed forests. This 

 was exciting but exasperating work. Strange calls from 

 just beyond the limit of vision in the dense growth, lured 

 one to continued exertions with the push pole, but the 

 siuash of the clumsy craft gave warning of our coming and 

 the unknown voices always remained a mystery. A pair of 

 Holbooll's Grebes had a nest on a small raft of water-soaked 

 reeds near the boat landing, but my best efforts to see the 



