264 BESIDE THE GEEAT SALT LAKE. 



a fellow-dragonfly off a favorite perch and take 

 it himself. 



They were very beautiful, too : some with 

 wings of transparent white or light amber 

 barred off by wide patches of rich dark brown 

 or black ; others, again, smaller, and all over 

 blue as the lazuli's head ; and a third of bril- 

 liant silver, which sparkled as it flew, as if cov- 

 ered with spangles. One alighted there with 

 wings which seemed to be covered with a close 

 and intricate design in the most brilliant gold 

 thread. I went almost near enough to put my 

 hand on him, and I never saw a more gorgeous 

 creature ; beside his beautiful wings his back 

 was of old gold, coming down in scallops over 

 the black and dark blue under part. 



In due time four lovely blue eggs filled the 

 nest of the lazuli, and about the middle of June 

 madam began to sit, and I had to be more care- 

 ful than ever in timing my visits. 



Some birds approach their nest in a loitering, 

 aimless sort of way, as if they had no particular 

 business in that quarter, and, if they see any 

 cause for alarm, depart with an indifferent air 

 that reveals nothing of their secret. Not thus 

 the ingenuous lazuli. She showed her anxiety 

 every moment ; coming in the most businesslike 

 way, and proclaiming her errand to the most 

 careless observer, till I thought every boy on 



