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 ^-^eaaseekho 





skill in swimming. Then he goes to the 

 creeks and harbors. 



Along the shore a flock of his own kind, 

 apparently, are feeding in quiet water. 

 Straight in he comes with unsuspecting soul, 

 the morning light shining full on his white 

 breast and bright red feet as he steadies him- 

 self to take the water. But bang, bang! go 

 the guns ; and splash, splash ! fall his com- 

 panions ; and out of a heap of seaweed come 

 ac a man and a dog; and away he goes, 



'^^ sadly puzzled at the painted decoys 

 in the water, to think it all over in 

 hunger and sorrow. 



Then the weather grows cold, 

 and a freeze-up covers all his 

 feeding grounds. Under his 

 beautiful feathers the bones 

 project to spoil the contour of 

 his round plump body. He is 

 famished now; he watches the 

 gulls to see what they eat. 

 When he finds out, he forgets 







