'224 THE SWAN AND HER CREW. 



" There is a coot swimming along yonder. Let her fly at it," 

 cried Jimmy. 



As the hawk launched into the air, however, a sandpiper flew 

 out from among the reeds, and the hawk instantly followed it. 

 It was a very pretty sight to see the twistings and turnings of 

 the two birds as they dashed across the broad with equal speed. 

 Frank took a pull at the sheet so as to catch the wind, and 

 followed them as fast as he could. The hawk had risen above 

 the sandpiper, and was about to swoop down upon it, when 

 the latter, to the surprise of the boys, dashed into the water 

 and dived. 



" Only fancy a bird with no webs to its feet diving," said 

 Frank. 



The sandpiper remained under water some time, and when 

 it arose, which it did with great apparent ease, the sail of 

 the yacht hid it from the hawk's sight, and it flew away un- 

 molested. As they sailed along on the look-out for other prey, 

 the hawk hung in the air above them, and followed, or, as it is 

 technically called, " waited on," them in the most beautiful 

 manner. 



The birds on the broad now seemed to be aware that a 

 hawk was about, and kept close to the shelter of the reeds, so 

 that the broad seemed quite deserted. At last, however, a 

 coot swam out, and the hawk made a feint at it but did not 

 strike it, and the coot swam coolly away. 



" Why the hawk is a coward," said Jimmy. 



" No, she is only cautious. You see, if she were to strike it 

 on the water it would dive, and as it is a strong bird it would 

 carry her under. That is the difficulty we shall meet with if we 

 hawk on the water," said Frank, " and if we go on the land 

 someone is sure to shoot the hawks." 



They called the hawk in by means of the lure, and sailed up 

 a dyke, meaning to land and try the marshes and the low 

 drained ground in their vicinity. They landed, and, Dick 

 taking one hawk and Frank the other, they proceeded along a 

 narrow drain in the hope of flushing some more water-hens. 



" Quick/' -cried Frank, "and crouch down behind these reeds. 

 I can see a couple of wild-ducks coming towards us." 



They threw themselves on the ground, and soon the whirring 

 of wings in the air told them that the ducks were coming 

 straight towards them. On they came, within ten feet of the 



