Redrujf 67 



seemed to be thinning the snow-crust, for 

 though far from dark below, it kept on grow- 

 ing lighter. Redruff had pecked and pecked 

 at the under side all day, till his head ached 

 and his bill was wearing blunt, but when the 

 sun went down he seemed as far as ever from 

 escape. The night passed like the others, ex- 

 cept no fox went trotting overhead. In the 

 morning he renewed his pecking, though now 

 with scarcely any force, and the voices or strug- 

 gles of the others were no more heard. As the 

 daylight grew stronger he could see that his 

 long efforts had made a brighter spot above 

 him in the snow, and he continued feebly 

 pecking. Outside, the storm-horses kept on 

 trampling all day, the crust was really growing 

 thin under their heels, and late that afternoon 

 his bill went through into the open air. New 

 life came with this gain, and he pecked away, 

 till just before the sun went down he had made 

 a hole that his head, his neck, and his ever- 

 beautiful ruffs could pass. His great, broad 

 shoulders were too large, but he could now 

 strike downward, which gave him fourfold 

 force ; the snow-crust crumbled quickly, and in 

 a little while he sprang from his icy prison once 

 more free. But the young ones ! Redruff flew 

 to the nearest bank, hastily gathered a few red 



