PINTAIL DUCK. SNIPE'S BLEATING. 59 



that he was a very jolly sort of fellow, and he found that they 

 were very pleasant, unaffected lads, and the end of it was that 

 they lunched with him on board his yacht, and had full 

 permission to go on the broad whenever they liked. 



Frank's attention was arrested by a pretty, light grey duck 

 swimming about in the centre of the broad. 



" Is that a pintail duck? ;> he inquired of Mr. . 



" Yes, and the only one on the broad, I am sorry to say. 

 Its mate has been killed, and my man found the deserted nest 

 with four eggs in it, among the reeds on the other side of the 

 broad. If he has not taken it you may have it." 



His man had not taken it, and in a few minutes the boys 

 were the possessors of the egg^ of this rare duck. The nest 

 and eggs were of the usual duck type, and did not correspond 

 in any degree with the extreme prettiness of the duck, which, 

 with its mottled grey back and red-brown head and neck, is 

 as fair to look at as it is good to eat. 



The yachts were disengaged from their position without any 

 damage, and the boys took leave of their entertainer with a 

 cheer, and made for the river again. 



" I hope all our adventures will end as nicely as that one," 

 said Dick. 



The wish was echoed by the others ; but that very day they 

 had an adventure which startled them considerably, and might 

 have had very serious and fatal consequences. But of this anon. 



Presently Dick said, " I have noticed whenever we see a 

 mud-bank that it is almost sure to be perforated by a number 

 of small holes. What is the reason of that ? " 



" Oh, that is done by the snipes, when boring in search of 

 food. Woodcocks will do it as well, and the woodcock's upper 

 bill is so long and flexible that it can twist and turn it about 

 in the mud with the greatest ease," answered Frank, who was 

 always ready with an answer on ornithological subjects. 



By and by Dick was observed to be looking all about with 

 a very puzzled and curious air, peeping into the cabin, and scru- 

 tinizing the deck and the banks with the utmost attention. 



" What is the matter, Dick ? " said Jimmy at length. 



"What on earth is thpt buzzing noise? It seems to be 

 close to us, and I can't find out the cause of it. I did not 

 like to ask before it seemed so simple. Is it a big bee, or 

 wasp, or what ? " 



