82 Forest Birds. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



THE WATERMEN 



(Gallmula chloropus.} 



A S the sun was rising one grey spring 

 morning, we were making our way along the 

 reed- grown banks of a sluggish little river, and, 

 as always is the case at this time of the day, all 

 nature was actively engaged. A water-rat was 

 the first living creature to attract our attention 

 as it sat upon its haunches eating some green 

 food, all unconscious of our presence. A quack, 

 quack above our head caused us to look up, and 

 we saw an old mallard flying by, and soon after, 

 as we came to a bend in the stream, we 

 almost trod upon its mate, which rose with a whirr, 

 disclosing at our feet a lovely nest of down con- 

 taining ten green eggs. Nothing more charming 



