NOVEMBER 



39 



unconcernedly with their occu- 

 pations, he with his song and 

 she with her toilet. Such a 

 cosy little home it was, with its 

 little side door covered by an 

 overhanging roof. I rolled it 

 gently over, and out in the 

 palm of my hand rolled one, 

 two, three pink-spotted eggs. 

 Now the little mistress bird 

 showed signs of agitation, 

 though not of alarm ; but 

 master went on unconcernedly 

 with his song. I did not want 

 to harass the dear things' 



I quickly put the 



into their hiding 



I hope that in a 



I shall have the 

 joy of seeing three baby birds' 

 faces peeping out from the tiny 

 porch. 



"Cree-cree-cree" went a harsh, shrill note, as a gleam of 

 turquoise flashed through the trees. It was the note of the- 

 sacred kingfisher, as he flew down the creek to a big old red 

 gum. Here, half-way to the top, jutted out a knobby ants' 



feelings, so 

 eggs back 

 place ; and 

 little while 



KINGFISHER AT, NEST 



