26 THE NORTHLAND BIRD LIFE 
Miss Swan had not yet gone to housekeep¬ 
ing. Her mother thought her too young 
for that. But she was very large, much 
larger than Mother Specks, and far too 
sedate and graceful to play with the smaller 
youngsters. 
“Good morning,” she said, bending her 
graceful neck in a stately bow. “How are 
your eggs?” 
“Doing nicely, indeed,” replied Mother 
Specks, bowing as gracefully as she could; 
“I have them well covered and am going 
for a bit of a swim.” 
“You won’t leave them long, will you?” 
inquired Miss Swan anxiously. “I beg your 
