34 BUSH DAYS 



But I did not miss the sounds so much, for my eyes were 

 too busy devouring all the beauties of this " absolutely un- 

 interesting country." It was spring-time, and the paddocks, 

 which soon came flying by, w r ere filled with young creatures ; 

 long-legged foals stepped daintily beside their mothers ; soft- 

 faced calves stared wonderingly at the rushing train ; little 

 white lambs sped away across the green as the noisy monster 



\l' ait ing for their breakfast L - H - 



YOUNG WOOD-SWALLOWS 



drew r near. On a stump a family of young wood-swallows 

 were waiting for their breakfast, too intent upon their appetites 

 to bother about the train, while a snow-white butterfly 

 flittered unconcernedly to rest upon a blue-bell, which swayed 

 to and fro in the panting breath of the engine. 



