EL CAPITAN . 
pleased the little house mother, for a new 
egg was added to its contents daily until 
there were five, and on May 15th sitting 
began. Food and water were near by, and 
yet the mother left the nest for long intervals 
while “El Capitan” stood guard. He made 
no pretence of taking her place, but watched 
with renewed vigilance and scolded a little 
harder as our boat came by, evidently regard- 
ing us with suspicion. Did he recognize us 
as those rude creatures who had set up a 
horrid black box on shining legs so near his 
home a day or so before, and thus kept his 
wife away from those precious eggs long 
enough to chill them? On May 27th 
the first two nestlings were out, and one 
hatched each day thereafter. We knew this 
before we looked, because of the curious antics 
of “Fl Capitan.” For two days previous 
to this important event, I had seen him 
peeping into the nest with great concern ; 
but, as he carried no food, I knew it was 
anticipation, not realization. When they 
did come, he nearly burst his throat in 
47 
