242 EDGE OF THE JUNGLE 
center a fussy jacana was feeding with her two 
spindly-legged babies, while, still nearer, three 
scarlet-helmeted gallinules lumbered about, now 
and then tipping over a silvery and black infant 
which seemed puzzled as to which it should call 
parent. Here was a clear example, not only of 
the abundance of life in the tropics, but of the 
keen competition. The jacana invariably lays 
four eggs, and the gallinule, at this latitude, six 
or eight, yet only a fraction of the young had 
survived even to this tender age. 
As I looked, a small crocodile rose, splashed, 
and sank, sending terror among the gallinules, 
but arousing the spur-wing jacana to a high 
pitch of anger. It left its young and flew di- 
rectly to the widening circles and hovered, cack- 
ling loudly. These birds have ample ability to 
cope with the dangers which menace from be- 
neath; but their fear was from above, and every 
passing heron, egret, or harmless hawk was given 
@ quick scrutiny, with an instinctive crouch and 
half-spread wings. 
But still the whole scene was peaceful; and as 
the sun grew warmer, young herons and egrets 
crawled out of their nests on the island a few 
yards away and preened their scanty plumage. 
