208 GANJAM. 



ran out with a gun and put an end to 

 him and his proceedings. 



The next day a fresh clamour drew 

 my attention to the landrail's nest ; this 

 time a number of the birds were wheel- 

 ing round the head of a little grey 

 fox who was approaching the spot. 

 He too was going straight for his point, 

 though why, if he knew of the position 

 of the eggs, he had not already eaten 

 them I do not understand, unless the 

 same spot is chosen year after year 

 by the same birds. 



Of course the fox took no heed of 

 the remonstrances which assailed him, 

 and I had again to interfere and drive 

 off the enemy, though I did not like 

 to shoot him. Perhaps if I had done 

 so the eggs might have been hatched, 



