242 EDGE OF THE JUNGLE 



center a fussy jacana was feeding with her two 

 spindly-legged babies, while, still nearer, three 

 scarlet-helmeted gallinules lumbered about, now 

 and then tipping over a silvery and black infant 

 which seemed puzzled as to which it should call 

 parent. Here was a clear example, not only of 

 the abundance of life in the tropics, but of the 

 keen competition. The jacana invariably lays 

 four eggs, and the gallinule, at this latitude, six 

 or eight, yet only a fraction of the young had 

 survived even to this tender age. 



As I looked, a small crocodile rose, splashed, 

 and sank, sending terror among the gallinules, 

 but arousing the spur-wing jacana to a high 

 pitch of anger. It left its young and flew di- 

 rectly to the widening circles and hovered, cack* 

 ling loudly. These birds have ample ability to 

 cope with the dangers which menace from be- 

 neath; but their fear was from above, and every 

 passing heron, egret, or harmless hawk was given 

 a quick scrutiny, with an instinctive crouch and 

 half-spread wings. 



But still the whole scene was peaceful ; and as 

 the sun grew warmer, young herons and egrets 

 crawled out of their nests on the island a few 

 yards away and preened their scanty plumage. 



