18 



back to the track. They were o in number and looked 

 very pretty, their delicate cream color ground and brown- 

 ish markings contrasting with the cottony substance which 

 formed the lining of the nest. 



We explored several other orchards and woods and 

 at last reached the great sand-bank which was our ob- 

 jective point. 



\V r e were delighted to see it honey-combed with little 

 holes, most of which however were beyond our reach. 

 By carefully crawling up the less steep places, with con- 

 tinual mishaps in the shape of slips and tumbles, and 

 much injury to pantaloons, we managed to get at a num- 

 ber of holes. .But by this time the entire population, 

 numbering some hundreds, were out and flying around 

 our heads, but they gradually dispersed. 



The holes were from 18 in. to 4 ft. deep and the nests 

 wore composed of straw, hay, etc., lined with feathers. 



Ave would take out nest and all, then if the set was In- 

 complete we would return it to its cavity, knowing from 

 experience that the birds will not desert a nest so hand- 

 led. Most of the sets were four, many of five, a few of 

 three, and one containing six eggs was found. As it now 

 began to near sundown we retraced our steps going home 

 thivmsdi the wood;-. * 



It was too dusky most of the way to find anything, 

 but, nevertheless, we secured the greatest prize of all by 



