IN QUEST OF THE COCK-OF-THE-ROCK 91 



thrusts at the nest; finally it fell and began its maddening 

 career in the whirlpool. Around it went, many times, and 

 then shot straight for the gorge, swerving toward the rock 

 on which Juan stood. As we shouted encouragement Juan 

 dived. In spite of the fact that he was a powerful swim- 

 mer we doubted if we should ever see him again, but after 

 what seemed minutes he reappeared, battling furiously 

 with the flood that sought to sweep him into the mael- 

 strom. We threw him a line and dragged him ashore. In 

 his mouth he held the precious nest, a young bird, drowned, 

 still clinging to the grass lining. 



Later, and under circumstances hardly less thrilling, we 

 found other birds and nests with both eggs and young, but 

 we took only those that were absolutely necessary. The 

 others, and there were many, we left to the eternal mys- 

 tery of the wilderness, to dance in the shadows and to woo 

 their mates beside the rushing waters; to rear their young 

 and to lead the life that was intended for them from the 

 beginning. 



