RedruH 



pearance splendid to behold, as he strutted and 

 flashed in the sun. But — oh ! he was so lone- 

 some now. 



Yet what could he do but blindly vent his 

 hankering in this daily drum-parade, till on a 

 day early in loveliest May, when the miliums 

 had fringed his log with silver stars, and he had 

 drummed and longed, then drummed again, his 

 keen ear caught a sound, a gentle footfall in the 

 brush. He turned to a statue and watched ; he 

 knew he had been watched. Could it be pos- 

 sible ? Yes ! there it was — a form — another — a 

 shy little lady grouse, now bashfully seeking to 

 hide. In a moment he was by her side. His 

 whole nature swamped by a new feeling — burnt 

 up with thirst — a cooling spring in sight. And 

 how he spread and flashed his proud array ! 

 How came he to know that that would please ? 

 He puffed his plumes and contrived to stand 

 just right to catch the sun, and strutted and ut- 

 tered a low, soft chuckle that must have been 

 just as good as the ' sweet nothings ' of another 

 race, for clearly now her heart was won. Won, 

 Teally, days ago, if only he had known. For full 

 three days she had come at the loud tattoo and 



335 



