260 WITH THE WOODLANDERS. 



Dick the Whaler. He looked at it, turned his 

 quid, rubbed his chin, and spoke : " If its feet was 

 webbed-like, but they ain't, I should fancy 'twas 

 one o' them 'ere pingin (penguin) things, fur some 

 o' they outlandish things has top-knots ; but this 

 'ere is afore my recknin'." After this sage utter- 

 ance the bird was given over to the care of the 

 host : all settled down to make themselves com- 

 fortable, and Dick had to tell over again how the 

 whale was beached. In the small hours two 

 figures were seen going home a little unsteadily, 

 full of whales, top-knot herns, and " mixter." 



" Can you tell me where your fine raven was 

 procured ? " I asked a man who was walking 

 up the street with one tucked under his arm like 

 a rooster. 



" From Sussex," he replied. " The friend that 

 sent him to me said that a few pairs lingered 

 there yet." 



This was some years ago. I fear they may have 

 been rooted out by this time. This fine hand- 

 some bird is one of our wanderers ; from the 

 earliest time he has been an object of considera- 

 tion, and all have credited him with superhuman 



