8 WILD NATURE'S WAYS. 



catch winged insects that incautiously ventured 

 too near their home even a couple of days before 

 they fledged. 



We next removed our hollow sham to the 

 edge of a small pond much frequented by thirsty 

 cattle and birds, where it distinguished itself by 

 completely deceiving every species of creature 

 that came to drink. The weather was exces- 

 sively hot at the time, and through the combined 

 causes of evaporation and consumption, the pond 

 grew delightfully smaller day by day, thus en- 

 hancing our chances of picture-making by the 

 natural reduction of area left for the birds to 

 stand upon whilst drinking. 



Hen pheasants came on several occasions 

 with their families, but never drank much them- 

 selves, appearing always to be too much engrossed 

 in the welfare of their charges. While the chicks 

 sipped with great relish, or ran delightedly round 

 the tiny sheet of water, their parents walked 

 along high flood mark above, keeping a watchful 

 eye on the surrounding country. Once an old 

 cock pheasant and a jay arrived together, and 

 the suspicious looks they gave each other whilst 

 drinking were too ridiculous for words. To my 

 undying regret, through waiting for the latter 

 bird to assume a rather more typical attitude, I 

 missed the ornithological photograph of a lifetime. 

 Without showing any sign of being ready to take 



