TWO BIRDS'-NESTS 



loaded beak, and in a moment reappear. He ran 

 swiftly along the dry pebbles a few yards, and then 

 took to wing, and joined in the cry against me. In 

 a few moments he disappeared, presumably in quest 

 of more food. 



The mother, after many feints and passes and 

 false moves, half-fearful of her own rashness, darted 

 into the little cavern also. She soon shot out from 

 it on nimble foot, as had her mate, then took to 

 wing, and to fresh peering and abuse of the strange 

 object on the bank. 



The male was soon on the scene again, and after a 

 Httle flourishing, entered the shadow of the cavern 

 as before. Pausing a moment, the female did the 

 same. 



Evidently their suspicions were beginning to be 

 lulled. They had seen fishermen many, a few every 

 day for weeks, and had grown used to them ; these 

 had gone on about their business ; but this one 

 that tarried and seemed bent on finding out other 

 people's business, — here was cause for alarm! 



In less than half an hour I felt sure I had the 

 birds' secret, — I had seen in the recesses of the 

 cavern the exact spot where they seemed to pause 

 a moment and then turn back. So I approached 

 the spot confidently ; I got down on my knees and 

 charged my eyes to find the nest. 



I am surprised that they seem baffled. At the 

 particular niche or shelf in the mass of roots they 

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