
          254.

while talking with Mr. H. nothing of importance was noticed
until we reached the turtle ponds.  Immediately before reaching
the ponds several beautiful birds attracted <s>be</s> my attention
They were a trifle larger than the sparrow, of a beautiful
light blue gray color, having a black blotch on the throat and
one on the top of the head.  We approached the ponds, cautiously,
hoping to <s>surprise</s> take <s>them</s> the turtles by surprise and then capture
one.  Mr. W. who was in the lead said "There is one", but
before he could point <s>him</s> it out to me, it had already slid into
the water.  We, therefore, followed the banks of several of <s>them</s> the ponds.  I soon
saw one, near the bank, but entirely under the water.  How clear
and distinctly we could see the pretty yellow spots!  The little
animal soon became aware of us and moved out into deeper
water and hid under the decaying leaves on the bottom (of the pond.)
We now followed another arm of the pond.  Suddenly,
one that had been sunning <s>himself</s> itself on the bank, seeing us,
made haste to get into the water.  In its haste, it fell and lay
struggling on its back near the edge of the pond.  Showing the truth
of the old adage "More haste-less speed".  Had we been on that
side of the pond, we could have captured the little fellow very
        