BIRD LEGEND AND LIFE 



way through the weakened shells, and the nest was made 

 lively by six squirming infants — featherless, shapeless, and 

 blind. 



From the moment they came into the world they made 

 constant demands upon the time and attention of both 

 parents, who were made most uncomfortable by having to 

 listen to almost ceaseless cries indicative of hunger and lone- 

 liness. To satisfy both of these wants was impossible. Lone- 

 liness their elders knew to be endurable, so they wisely de- 

 cided to throw all their energies into the commissary de- 

 partment. 



While the youngsters were in their early infancy the 

 smaller forms of animal life to be found in the pond furnished 

 a very satisfactory menu. These had to be pushed far down 

 into the elastic throats of the infants. With luscious water- 

 beetles, tadpoles, leeches and countless minnows, the awkward 

 little bodies were stuffed into shape. Provisions of a coarser 

 nature the older birds ground up among the bones in their 

 own crops before dispensing. 



At this stage in their lives, at a glance one would hardly 

 be able to tell whether these stuffy, squirming creatures were 

 birds or reptiles. As they grew, their eyes opened and 

 numerous dark points began to push themselves out all over 

 the bodies. Their wardrobe for the season, the soft beautiful 

 feathers to be, was done up in these hard coverings, which 

 would open soon at the outer end and gradually be cast off 

 in the form of scaly dust. 



When the little ones were not being fed, or sleeping, 

 they were scrambling about, over and among each other, 

 hardening their muscles and growing as fast as they could. 

 It was their only means of varying the monotony. With 

 absolutely nothing to see it was necessary for them to find 



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