230 



LABOUR. 



win her love, became the greatest painter of Flanders in the sixteenth 



century. 



" Of Vulcau swart, love an Apelles made." 

 (D'un noir Vulcain, I'amour fit uu Appelle). 



Thus, one morning the woodpecker develops into the sculptor. 

 With severe precision, the perfect roundness which the compass might 

 give, he hollows out the graceful vault of a superb hemisphere. 

 The whole receives the polish of marble and ivory. All kinds of 

 hygienic and strategic precautions are not wanting. A narrow wind- 

 ing entry, whose slope inclines outwards that the water may not 

 penetrate, favours the defence ; it suffices for one head and one 

 courageous bill to close it. 



What heart coidd resist all these toils? Who would not accept 

 this artist, this laborious purveyor for domestic wants, this intrepid 

 defender? Who would not believe herself able to accomplish in 



- ^ * \\,\ 





•7 ^^ 





safety, behind the generous rampart of this devoted champion, the 

 delicate mystery of maternity ? 



So she resists no longer, and behold the pair installed ! There is 



