THE ISLE OP BIRDS. 203 



fectly quiet, not a sound being heard, the great 

 mass of birds sweeping down in silent fear, as if 

 to listen. But it was only for a moment ; then 

 the confusion recommenced and seemed greater 

 than before. 



After Long John had rolled out the barrel 

 they started into the brush The island was 

 about a mile around, and, like East Key, com- 

 pletely covered with bay-cedars, forming a close 

 brush nearly ten feet high, interspersed here and 

 there with patches of prickly pear. Under it 

 on the sand the speckled eggs lay in such quan- 

 tities that hardly a step could be taken without 

 breaking them. 



" I think we had better sweep them up," said 

 Tom; but he had hardly spoken when down 

 came an egg, dropped by a bird frightened 

 from her nest, striking him fairly on the head. 



" You ; d better get a net if you are going to 

 take them that way," shouted Dick. 



" I didn't think it would rain eggs," retorted 

 Tom laughingly, and wiping his hat. 



The boys went down on their hands and 

 knees and piled the eggs together, while Long 



