SOME BIRDS 



mediately the three hens turned in that direc- 

 tion, the new cock bringing up the rear, ap- 

 parently in a somewhat doubtful frame of mind. 

 That his suspicions were well founded was 

 quickly proved, for the party had scarcely dis- 

 appeared into the woods before the little cock 

 came half flying, half running back and making a 

 mighty clatter, with the old cock in full pursuit. 

 Once the old cock saw the intruder driven 

 well away, he returned proudly to the three 

 hens and promptly added them all to his own 

 household. The little fellow wandered about 

 disconsolate and alone for some days, but later 

 I saw that he had enticed one of the hens away 

 from her larger and more brilliant lord and 

 master, and together they reared their brood. 

 Every fall since then, I have had from twenty 

 to thirty of these birds on the island, but in 

 the spring only four or five are to be found. 

 Some doubtless perish in the cold winter, others 

 fall victims to the wiles of the fox or owl, but 

 some I know wander to the main shore, and 

 take up a home there, they having been seen 

 with their broods at various points about the 

 shores of the lake. The laws of the State 

 protect them at all seasons, and I have no 



III 



