A YOUNG NATURALIST. 277 



" Wiat a curious beak !" he further exclaimed, examining his 

 victim, which Gringalet had just brought him. 



" Yes, that is why this bird is called a spoon-bill." 



" Is it good to eat ■? " 



" It is rather tough ; but when any one is hungry " 



Sumichrast put his finger to his lips to enjoin silence ; two 

 smaller waders made their appearance and settled close to us. 



" Now, Master Sunbeam," said Sumichrast, " fire at the bird 

 to the left, whilst I aim at the one to the right. Those are 

 egrets, and your sister will like some of their beautiful feathers 

 to put in her hat. Now, then — one, two- — fire ! " 



The two shots sounded almost at the same moment, and the 

 birds fell over on to the ground. This double report put to 

 flight all the spoonbills and cranes, and the lake was soon per- 

 fectly deserted. 



We now took the road leading to the " Palm-tree Villa," and 

 I'Encuerado went on before us to take up his fishing-lines. 



The heat became perfectly overpowering, and Sumichrast fell 

 asleep. About half-past three, I went off" with Lucien towards 

 that portion of the forest close by the stream, with the intention 

 of collecting insects. First one object and then another tempted 

 us into the interior, till the oblique rays of the sun admonished 

 us to turn back. But imagine my dismay when, by neglect not 

 to notch the tree trunks as I passed them, I discovered I did not 

 know in what direction our camp lay. 



" Are we lost 1 " asked the boy, in an anxious tone. 



" We have gone too far," said I to the lad, " and perhaps we 

 shall not be able to get back to the ' Palm-tree Villa ' this even- 

 ing. I am going to fire off" my gun to attract I'Encuerado's 

 attention." 



The report resounded. I listened with an anxiety which 

 increased when I perceived that I had only three cartridges left, 

 and Lucien only retained two charges. 



"You had better shoot now," said I to the lad, "so that 

 I'Encuerado may understand that we are signalling to him." 



I again listened almost breathlessly, but in vain. 



"We must rest here without our supper," said I, with a gaiety 



