THE LEAST BITTERN 



Tl 



almost human in tlieir expressiveness of pain, fear, 

 and anguisli. 



This is the love song of the male, and when he 

 has won a mate she joins him in singing, uttering, 

 as he calls, a rapid culi-cuh-cuk, f(_)llowed Ly a slower 

 !(.(//(, u(jh, ugh, iicjli. 



The Gallinules were cackling in tlie reeds, where 

 a nest with three hatching eggs was f(jnnd, but not a 



?.-,. Y.iiing Kt^a-wiiiuva Blarkbir.ls. 



hird was seen. Red-winged Blackbirds were chat- 

 tering with excitemerd as they guided the first wing 

 strokes of their young, who perched on the reeds 

 begged eloquently for food rather than for lessons 

 in flying.'-'' 



In a small island of cat-tails a pair of Grebes was 

 calling, and after the most careful stalking my com- 

 panion saw the female respond to the voice of her 

 mate. 



