THE HERO ENTERS SUDDENLY 



little quill-covered bones folded against its 

 sides, I had no conception of the magnitude 

 of the task I was imposing on myself in un- 

 dertaking its rescue. I should probably 

 have hesitated about accepting the charge, 

 or perhaps have declined it altogether, had 

 I realized all the care, the anxiety and the 

 danger to my protege involved in the re- 

 sponsibility. 



W'hen I took Chupes to my home and 

 bestowed upon him the care and attention 

 one would give a child, I deprived him in a 

 great measure of his natural sense of self- 

 protection. He simply cast the responsi- 

 bility of his existence on me, as was proved 

 by the fact that in danger he usually came 

 flying to me with a cry that certainly was a 

 call for help. I never disappointed him, but 

 it was at a cost that few among you could 

 realize, and none but an ardent bird-lover 

 would be willing to meet. It is in case the 



21 



