204 ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF. 



John filled the barrel, carefully placing leaves 

 between each layer. 



The eggs were laid in a slight depression in 

 the sand, made by the gull, that left them to be 

 hatched by the sun. Besides the immense num- 

 bers on the ground, almost pure white eggs were 

 found on the top branches of the bushes, laid by 

 the noddy — a lovely bird, with dove-like eyes 

 expressive of gentleness, a dark body, and white 

 head. The nests were on the very top of the 

 slender bushes, and in but few instances did 

 they appear to be hollow, the single egg being 

 held in place by the twigs. 



" See here, boys," shouted the doctor, put- 

 ting his hands to his mouth that his voice might 

 reach them. 



The egg-collectors stopped, and, approaching, 

 found him standing in a little pathway that led 

 into the bush. The doctor pointed to a large, 

 stout spider's web that spanned the path, and 

 asked them if they saw the spider. They all 

 shook their heads, as it was almost useless to try 

 and talk in such an uproar. 



" It is right before you," he shouted. They 



