1 io Clear Skies and Cloudy. 



it. Never was the creek more beautiful to my 

 faithful eyes, for to my mind Nature has no- 

 where else been so lavish of her charms. The 

 rain fell in huge drops, that struck the water 

 like pebbles, making a glittering splash, for the 

 storm was local in its strictest sense and the sun 

 shone brightly in the western sky. While lying 

 in my snug retreat I saw a pretty wood-duck 

 with her brood moving by in fancied security, 

 as if no harm would come while it was raining. 

 Presently the duck stopped, turned, and faced 

 me, as if it purposed sharing my shelter. How 

 my heart beat ! I feared the duck would hear 

 my breathing. Suddenly when very near it 

 stopped, and I could plainly see its bright black 

 eyes. The young gathered about, and the 

 group rested as content as I was under the 

 boat. The shower was now over and I was 

 anxious to continue on my journey, but could 

 not miss such an opportunity to see these 

 wary birds. After some chattering, a rather 

 melodious "peeping" by the young, the parent 

 duck led them back to the middle of the creek. 

 I crawled from my hiding-place, and the moment 

 I stood up the mother disappeared and the 



