,, 



shell scattered about told me the story, and 



that I must now hunt for the little wood- 

 cocks> which are almost i mposs i b i e to find 



un i ess t j ie mo ther herself show you where 

 they are. A week later, as I prowled along 

 the edge of the swamp, a sudden little brown 

 whirlwind seemed to roll up the leaves at 

 my feet. In the midst of it I made out 

 the woodcock fluttering away, clucking, and 

 trailing now a wing and now a leg, as if des- 

 perately hurt. Of course I followed her to 

 see what was the matter, forgetting the par- 

 tridge that had once played me the same 

 pretty trick to decoy me away from her 

 chicks. When she had led me to a safe 

 distance all her injuries vanished as at the 

 touch of magic. She sprang up on strong 

 wings, whirled across the swamp 

 and circled swiftly back 



to wnere 



