100 A PHILOSOPHER WITH NATURE 



stretch was a feat which justly entitles to distinction. 

 How was it done ? To be successful it was necessary 

 to take the water bravely, hke a retriever, and with 

 a strong breast stroke, which soon lessened the dis- 

 tance between you and your quarry. As you ap- 

 proached, the struggle in the mind of the mother 

 bird was always ludicrous. She was torn between 

 the two great forces which move nature's world — 

 self-interest and parental instinct. First she would 

 and then she wouldn't leave them. But she always 

 did, after all. It is a very pretty sight. Down all 

 the httle swimmers go immediately the old bird flies 

 away ; they feel they are left to their own resources 

 now, and tlxey scatter in aU directions as they dive. 

 Now, if you are to return successful, your strategy 

 begins. Slowly swimming in the direction in which 

 you have come, you wait. Bravely the Httle divers 

 act their part, long do they stay down, and far do 

 they travel before they emerge. They come up at 

 last ; and, singhng out one from the rest, you again 

 pursue it. Down it goes once more, and it always 

 swims under water in a straight line away from you 

 — a fatal mistake. This time it stays below a shorter 

 interval ; and a few more trials and you overtake 

 it, and it submits to be caught. The little black 

 leg must be held gently in the mouth, and the httle 

 owner floats comfortably in the water without 

 struggling while you proceed to capture the others 

 one after another in similar fashion. Then, having 

 covered over two miles in the water, panting, flushed 

 and triumphant, with five little cheepers, frightened 

 but not hurt, streaming from your mouth, you swim 

 to land under the envious and admuring eyes of 

 your equals. You may afterwards worst your 



