STRANGE BED-FELLOWS 



out again, but the lens caught it, and then my hand, 

 this operation being repeated several times. Then I 

 put two of the lively youngsters up on an overturned 

 tree stump and roots, which the workmen had dug out 

 when they straightened the railroad. Like most young 

 birds, they acted in an exasperated manner, delaying 

 me while the shower came nearer and nearer. I was 

 determined, now, to get this picture at almost any cost, 

 knowing that with a top buggy my family would not 

 be quite drowned. Finally I made my last of several ex- 

 posures just as the first of the big drops began to fall. 

 Under the rubber cloth I packed away my camera. 

 Then I put the young birds back into the burrow, 

 waiting a moment to drive them back as they tried to 

 come out. Then, gathering up my things, I raced for 

 the buggy in the increasing downpour. The family 

 were not there. In alarm at the approach of the 

 tempest they had put for the next farmhouse, where I 

 found them when the storm had nearly spent itself. 

 They were none the worse for it, nor was I, though wet 

 and plastered with mud. But I am glad that I did it, 

 because I have the pictures to show for my pains. 



This episode amused Ned very much. He wished 

 he had been present to see it all, and I certainly had 

 earnestly wished that he was there to help me manage 

 those contrary young birds. I could have finished 

 then before it rained. Sometimes, in photographing 

 birds it is best to be alone, but again an assistant is an 

 exceedingly great convenience. But Ned had his 



SS 



