MOTHER SPECKS’ NEST 
27 
pardon—I recall now that the Family of 
Specks have a very deft way of covering 
your eggs. It is too bad that we have never 
learned it..’ 
“Oh, yes, they will do very well for an 
hour or so,” said Mother Specks, pleased at 
the compliment. “How is your mother?! 
As beautiful and graceful as ever?” 
So Mrs. Specks and Miss Swan were 
enjoying each other’s company very much 
when someone presently came in sight round 
the point. Indeed, it was no other than our 
old friend Little Red Fox! He and his 
mother had followed Big White Bear across 
the ice during the winter and had come over 
to Happy Island to live. The bird folks 
didn’t welcome them very heartily. 
Mother Specks watched Little Red Fox 
very sharply as he drew near her nest. 
“He looks like a very dangerous fellow,” 
said Miss Swan. “I shouldn’t wonder one 
bit if he were a meddlesome thief.” 
