THE FIRESIDE AT FAK AWAY. 115 



"I never had any lesson, save what I have read. 

 Once, when first attempting it, I sent to Savannah and 

 bought a stuffed bird which I pulled in pieces to find the 

 secret. But the true teacher is patience. Try again 

 every time you fiiil." 



" They have kept well for so warm a climate." 



"That's a woman's secret," said Jackson. "Lou 

 bakes her birds m the oven." 



"I'll tell you a joke," said Miss Jackson, "about 

 baking birds. One day there was a bird pie in the oven, 

 the pride of our new cook, and on looking at it, I found 

 it done, and the fire low enough to dry some birds I had 

 just set up. Accordingly, I stood them in the oven all 

 covered with white strings, in front of the pie. When 

 dinner was ready, Dinah went for the pie, but presently 

 came running back, calUng out, 'As sure as I's 'live, 

 missus, dem birds is out ob de pie, or else dere ghosts 

 am standin' dere in dere grave close. Oh Lor' help 

 us !' " 



" Your birds were correctly set up, then, if they 

 deceived even a cook. What do you do when you are 

 where you cannot have the use of an oven ?" 



" Oh, I do the best I can ; use pepper-grass, dry them 

 in the sun, and then let them slide." 



" How pleasant it is to have a copy of nature's works 

 by your side, so well prepared that it reminds you of the 

 original bird," remarked the Doctor, laying back on a 

 wooden bench, looking at the hawks over head and 

 swinging his feet back and forward under his lounge. 



