A MARSH MYSTERY 
disappeared. Not so the alarm call. For 
an indescribable medley of sounds arose on 
all sides, — whistles, squeals, squawks, — 
and then a silence as sudden as the alarm 
had been. Thinking there might be a nest 
near by, we at once punted to the spot where 
we had first seen the bird, and which seemed 
somewhat solid ; then, wading out to a hump 
that would bear his weight, my companion 
looked eagerly about. Must we confess 
that good fortune and not science had led 
him to the right place, and there, not two 
feet away, was the nest. Of the six eggs 
all were hatched but one, and the nest was 
yet warm, showing how recently it had been 
occupied. Diligent search failing to reveal 
any trace of the newly hatched “ chicks,’' we 
pushed out into the open and lay down 
in the boat to await further developments. 
All things come to those who wait,” but 
in the study of wild life, whether of forest 
or marsh, the one essential seems to be 
patience in waiting, — long and silent wait- 
ing. The sun had long since passed the 
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