30 THE SWAN AND HER CREW. 



As they returned homeward, the boys in running round a 

 point of reeds, came upon a heron, which scuttled away in great 

 haste, and in a very undignified manner. It seemed at first 

 as if they should catch him, as they followed him so closely, 

 but as he got fairly away, he rose in the air and distanced them. 



" How slowly he flaps his wings," said Dick. 



" How many times a minute do you think he flaps them ? ); 

 asked Jimmy. 



" Just about forty, at the outside," replied Dick. 



" Well, do you count, while I time you," and Jimmy took 



out his watch and marked the time, while Dick counted one, 



two, three, &c. 



When he had counted 120 Jimmy said 



" Stop, the minute is up. Aren't you astonished ? " 



" I am, and no mistake. How deceptive his flight is, and 



just fancy at what a pace must the wings of the smaller 



birds go ! " 



They brought the yacht to anchor in front of the boat-house, 



and went home to relate the adventures of their voyage. 



