246 WILD NATURE'S WAYS. 



I managed to haul enough driftwood out of 

 the cave to enable me to complete the roof of 

 my hiding-place, and partly bar up the doorway, 

 before I left it to the mature consideration of 

 the oyster-catcher and her mate, who was in 

 constant attendance, ready, as I afterwards proved, 

 to do his share of the brooding. 



Next morning, when I arrived upon the 

 scene the warmth of the eggs told an encouraging 

 tale. They had only just been quitted, and 

 feeling greatly pleased to know that the harm- 

 lessness of my overnight's work, although so 

 close to the nest, had fully established itself in 

 the suspicious mind of the wily oyster-catcher, I 

 commenced my day's work with a light and 

 hopeful heart. Putting the camera into position, 

 with the lens peeping through a hole left in the 

 stone wall of the improvised studio, I focussed 

 my cap, placed over the eggs to represent the 

 body of a sitting bird, and waited the coming of 

 a cowherd boy who was to tuck me up in my 

 hiding-place, and, by walking away somewhat 

 ostentatiously, deceive the wary fowl I wished 

 to portray into thinking that all human danger 

 had disappeared from the scene. In due season 

 Angus arrived, half hidden beneath the ample 

 folds of the largest and heaviest cloth overcoat I 

 ever beheld. This had been sent for the preserva- 

 tion of my comfort by a thoughtful Highland soul, 



