182 CONFESSIONS OF A BEACHCOMBER 



set apart for them to measure by, and had thereupon 

 levelled their enterprise and skill down. Such sinfulness 

 and such burglarious conduct on the part of respectable 

 hens that had the most discreet upbringing, that had 

 never been allowed to play in anybody else's yard, and 

 that had never been permitted to wander from the paths 

 of virtue, was a sore affliction. 



But one day a nest egg was found far away in the bush, 

 and then another a quarter of mile from the yard in the 

 creek. Again another was discovered underneath a hollow 

 log. Being restored to accustomed places with due 

 ceremony, and in sight of all the hens in convention 

 assembled, a gratifying change in the size of eggs produced 

 resulted in a few days, but again a slump set in. The 

 nest eggs had disappeared, and the hens were fulfilling 

 their contract anyhow. 



Other nest eggs of prescribed dimensions were taken 

 out of stock ; and a yet more wonderful thing happened ! 



One morning about fowl-feeding time a great cry arose. 



" Sen-ake ! " " Sen-ake ! " 



Yes, there was a snake. About half the latter half 

 its length was visible outside the back of a nesting 

 place (a box open at the front), and a blow from a shovel 

 disabled it. Further examination showed that the snake 

 had squeezed through a knot hole in the box. A lusty 

 man hauled on the snake violently. The box was heavy, 

 and from the front the snake could be seen. It looked 

 troubled and uncomfortable, but not inclined to back out, 

 although the inducement in that direction was considerable. 

 Eventually the snake parted ; and in the latter half there 

 was a bulge. Dissection revealed What marvellous ! a 

 nest egg. But why did the snake show such reluctance to 

 leave the box ? The first or forward half was hooked out from 

 among the straw, and there was another oval distention 

 another nest egg ! The snake had discovered elsewhere 

 a china egg, had swallowed it, and then crawled in at the 

 knot hole, and got outside another. Escape was impossible, 

 until the problem was solved by halving. 



