A BIG-HEADED FISHERMAN 
“What is making that noise?” asked Bess. They all 
stopped to listen to a sound from up the creek. 
“Tat-tat-tat-tat,” came the sound so fast that it was 
almost a rattle. 
“What is it, Uncle Jack?” asked Bess. 
‘Til not tell you,” said Uncle Jack, smiling. “It will 
be a nice surprise when you see it. Let us go back and 
sit quietly on the bank of the creek and watch.” 
“Tat-tat-tat-tat-tat,” came the sound closer. 
“Here it comes,” whispered Marylee. “Why, it's a 
bird!” 
They saw a queer bird flying down the creek toward 
them. Just before he got to them, he lit on a dead branch 
of a tree that hung out over the water. 
“What a big head and bill he has!” said Buddy. “They 
are almost as big as the rest of his body. What made 
his head grow so large?” 
“Just watch and you may find out for yourself,” an¬ 
swered Uncle Jack. 
“Oh! Look!” said Bess. “He is falling off the branch 
into the water!” 
Down fell the little bird, almost straight toward the 
water. He went head first, not even using his wings. 
Splash, into the creek he plunged. 
123 
