THE AAIERICAN AVOCET. 



689 



The birds were ilri\en to the ver\- limit of frenzv, (hmcing, wing-traihng, 

 swaying, going thru last con\ulsions and beginning o\er again without regard 

 to logical sequence, all in an agon\- of effort to divert attention from those 

 precious eggs. It mav seem cruel to ha\"e harassed them so. l.nit we were 

 sustained by the integrity of our purpose, which was not robbery, but snap- 

 shotter}' ; and we neglected no opportunity to work upon their feelings. 

 Neighbors came ui) and looked on sympathetically, or joined in the clamor. 



As time elapsed, however, the color of the play changed. Finding that the 

 appeal to cupidity was of no avail, the birds appeared to fall back upon the 



Photo by lite Author. 



HOISTING Tllli SIGN.\L OK DISTRESS. 



appeal to pity. Decoying was useless, that was plain; so they stood with u])- 

 raised wings, quivering and moaning, in tenderest supplication. It was too 

 much even for conscious rectitude, and we withdrew abashed. 



Chancing to exhibit m\- photographs to S(ime friends in a Seattle store, 

 a stranger asked permission to see them. "Why,'' he exclaimed, "those are 



the very birds I saw over at Lake a few weeks ago. Curlews, ar'n't 



they?" "No," I said, "something like them, but a deal handsomer: Ax'ocets." 

 "Beautiful! Beautiful!" Then with a sigh, "Ar'n't man\' left, I guess: a 

 fellow killed twelve of them the tlav I was there." 



