144 GAME-BIRDS AT HOME. 



Like hours seemed the few minutes I had to 

 await the coming of the makers of that strange 

 sound, and when at last my straining ear caught 

 the soft winnowing of the air in front and a 

 Httle on one side, slower too and softer than that 

 of the sand-hill's wing, I could scarcely contain 

 myself for the instant necessary to let them come 

 so close that they could not sheer out of the, 

 way when I rose. I stood it for another second, 

 and then as the sound came clearer just over me 

 I sprung as never before. 



Scarce thirty feet above, the air was filled with 

 white birds as large as swans, with necks as long, 

 and broader and whiter wings barred on the ends 

 with jet, climbing heavenward and sheering for 

 all points of the compass at the same time, while 

 the sun shone on soft carmine heads and dark 

 green bills like gleaming swords, from which 

 poured a volley of sound like the mingling of a 

 score of bugles. It seemed wicked to spoil any- 

 thing so rare and so beautiful as that sight ; but 

 if I had had time to think, I could have consoled 

 myself with the reflection that it is scarcely once 

 in a lifetime that one gets a chance to make a 

 double shot on this wild thing, and rare enough 



