362 SWIMMERS. 



swim rapidly and dive with great expertness, as I have learned 

 by experience. I paddled after a brood one hot summer's day, 

 and though several times they were almost within reach of my 

 landing-net, they eluded every effort to capture them. Throughout 

 the chase the mother kept close to the young birds, and several 

 times swam across the bow of the canoe in her efforts to draw my 

 attention from the brood and to offer herself as a sacrifice for 

 their escape. 



