; 



A SOUTHERLY EAIN. 



before then, but that made me set 'em down as the cun- 

 niu'est of all ducks." 



" Perhaps the ducks didn't see you," I suggested. 



" Perhaps they didn't, only they did, just the same. 

 Why, boy," exclaimed Uz with unusual energy, "those 

 sprig-tails were within twenty yards of me all the time, 

 and to think I didn't even smell 'em ! " 



Uz here took a few contemplative puffs, and watched 

 the curling smoke in silence. Then, in his usual quiet 

 manner, continued : " I'll tell you another thing about 

 sprig-tails. More than once I've noticed that they make 

 sort of slaves of smaller ducks. I've seen a dozen sprig- 

 tails circle 'round a lot of stools, and wait until the teal 

 that were with 'em sort of investigated the matter. The 

 teal would settle down near by, and all would seem right ; 

 and then the sprig-tails would settle, but always on the 

 off side of the stools ; and, if they got very near, they'd 

 smell a mouse and put off. I've often killed the teal 

 in a flock of sprig-tails, and lost every one of the others." 



" But isn't it merely that the teal are less suspicious ? " 

 I asked, as Uz paused for a moment. 



" !N"o, not exactly," he replied ; " they are more sus- 

 pectin', I know ; but what I mean is, they go with the 

 teal for the purpose of havin' them go first into doubtful 

 places, and sort of test 'em. If no harm comes to them, 

 then the sprig-tails think it's safe for them, too." 



" That is giving them credit for a good deal," I re- 

 marked. 



" Not a speck more than's due 'em ; and here's an- 

 other way they're cunnin'. They haven't got owls' eyes, 

 I suppose, but go a good deal by smell ; and they'll leave 

 the river after sundown, and come in on the meadows to 

 feed when there's nobody to disturb 'em. I learned 

 their dodge, and tried night-huntin', but it was no use. 



