88 BIRDS OF THE WATER 



— and would then sometimes wander from 

 her cover and follow Budget in a desultory 

 sort of way. About the third day, to our 

 amazement he began to feed them, and 

 ever since has been a most devoted 

 nurse. His is a real labour of love, for 

 when called up and given a caterpillar or 

 other dainty, he runs off at once and 

 presents it to one of the chicks. Should 

 it be too large, his bill is used for its 

 crushing and maceration, or sometimes the 

 morsel is held in his claw and torn up for 

 the little ones. His lonely cry, too, ceased 

 altogether, and was replaced by the gentle 

 feeding note that calls up the cheepers. 

 This latter cry, by the way, was not de- 

 veloped at once. At first Budget always 

 carried food to the chicks, but later he 

 expected them to come to him, though such 

 is the dear fellow's love for his small 

 charges that he can suffer no long delay, 

 and should anything prevent their immediate 

 appearance, will still carry to one of them, 

 the blue hopper moth, the spindley daddy- 

 long-legs, or the slimy, succulent caterpillar. 

 Even when we know him to be hungry it 



