BIRDS IN AUTHORITY 57 



invariably takes — the military discipline in all their 

 movements, their drumming sounds and commanding 

 cries, the tremendous formality of it all ! The two 

 birds were like little children pretending to be some 

 mighty personages who owned everything and lorded 

 it over the others. They were dispensers of the 

 water of the lake, and were graciously pleased to 

 allow any thirsty bird that came to drink and bathe, 

 but only after the proper ceremonies had been per- 

 formed ; also the drinking and bathing had to be 

 cut short rather on this occasion. 



