on the Finding of a Treasure.



265



by “ Jones ” must be among the beeches. Thus it came about that,

as soon as the two tattlers thought proper to bestir their nether

extremities in addition to that other little member which wagged

ceaselessly, I led them (for to have gone without me never entered

their heads) straight to this corner, and, in but a few minutes, had

spotted the nest, chucked off my coat, and was gliding up the beech

as agilely and silently as a monkey with an eye on a sleeping bird,

leaving my two inconsequent companions chattering' aw r ay upon any

and every subject but the one which had brought us to the place.


On getting clear of the hazel bushes, I paused for a moment

to inspect—and there fell on my ears a sound which sent a thrill

tingling' through my wdiole system. I had believed that there was

not a wild bird about our parts whose voice I could not distinguish ;

nay, I could tell what each call meant. I had thought that the

nest aloft was a Kestrel’s, but the voice which now floated up from

the valley below was no Kestrel’s voice— it was something new ! ! !

It was a ventriloquial cry, for although it sounded as if far away it

came from the lower edge of the wood only some two hundred yards

off, and from birds on the wing which were flying' backwards and

forwards but out of sight. Quivering with excitement, I resumed

my climb as stealthily as possible, for the season was getting on and

young' hawks ought to be strong on the wing ; and I was soon close

under the nest, which was high up in the tree ; taking a firm hold

with my left hand, and with my right free and ready to make a

pounce should the inmates be stampeded by my appearance, I slowly

drew myself up until I could see into it. This caution was not

needed, however, for the three nestling's were but a few days old; so

I speedily descended, and, hustling my loquacious elders away from

the spot, and keeping' them temporarily quiet with uplifted finger

and a hus-s-sh , I asked them, when at a safe distance, whether they

had heard “the birds.” I need not have asked the question; of

course they had not—had not heard anything but the sound of their

own sweet voices; a strange bird? what a comical idea! had I a

tile loose in the upper storey ? surely much bird-nesting had made

me crazy. It ivas a common Kestrel’s nest: did not he “ Jones,” say

it ? so what was the good of arguing' ! With thoughts of unutterable



