326 



BIRD-LIFE IN WESTERN CANADA 



Acting on the belief that she had called the chicks back to 

 the nest, a dozen rapid strokes were given to the bicycle 

 pump at the end of the tube, and the Tern promptly flew up 

 into the air, uttering her loud craik-craik in a way which 

 plainl>- showed us that the shutter on the camera had been 

 sprung. Instantly we rushed through the mud and water to 

 the nest, but only to find it as empty as before. 



S 



" She hovered near us " 



Inserting a fresh plate in the camera, we returned to our 

 hiding place. Again the Tern scolded us vigorously, but af- 

 ter a while, as before, her fears seemed to decrease; she 

 gradually drew nearer to the nest and eventually dropped 

 lightly down into the reeds. After waiting a moment for 

 her to settle herself, the bicycle pump was again used, and 

 at the twelfth plunge of the piston the Tern shot upward as 

 though she were blown from the end of the tube ! We accept- 

 ed her action as an unfailing indication that the shutter was 



