THE SPOONBILL. ii 



better as umbrella than as coat, I cannot say, but certainly 

 each time they did so she straightened her long legs, 

 raising her body out of reach. 



All this time the cock had not returned, and on looking 

 round I saw that now all the other nests within view 

 were each only tended by the brooding bird, while 

 ordinarily some were always to be seen with the mate 

 in attendance. Happening to mention this afterwards, 

 I found that my brother had noticed a group of Spoon- 

 bills rise quietly from the reeds and make off seawards 

 immediately before the storm began, apparently seeking 

 to escape it. 



Despite the discomfort of the situation, my old Spoon- 

 bill managed to doze off every now and then, only to be 

 recalled with a start as the little wet heads were thrust 

 upwards against her. 



When at length the storm had passed and the sun once 

 more stood clear above the solid white-edged clouds, 

 its brilliance and heat seemed all the greater by contrast 

 with the gloom and chill immediately preceding it. 

 The great reeds steamed as though on fire. The brooding 

 birds shook themselves out, the flying drops of water 

 sparkling in the sunshine, and shortly mine, in company 

 with many others, took wing and disappeared. 



On her return I was glad to see the sun and flight 

 had dried her plumage, and she was herself again ; but 

 more, that she had forgotten her fear of the lurching thing 

 beneath the heap of reeds, and alighted without more 

 ado or a glance in my direction. 



Feeling something touch my leg I glanced down 

 through the pale green water and saw a small pike nosing 

 about at a loss to know what to make of my rough tweed 

 breeches. Nor was I the only one who had noticed that 

 young jack. Both the near birds were regarding it 

 fixedly, and long after it had passed from my view I could 

 follow its movements ; the long bills of the ever watchful 

 birds acting as a true indicator of its position. 



B 2 



