108 LITTLE FOLKS 
keep their stomachs full, I tell you, for we are a family of hearty- 
eaters — greedy, those musty old bookmakers call us. 
What makes my bill so large, is the bag which hangs down 
under it. This bag is made of elastic skin, and you'd be surprised 
to see how many fish I can pack into it, to carry home. I belong 
to the Aquatic birds, so I have webbed feet, like ducks and geese, 
and of course I can swim. 
Now when I want to fish, I just swim around and wait for one 
of the foolish fellows to come near the surface. I scorn to dive 
under water for my dinner, as some of my family do. As soon as 
I get sight of a shining side, I go for him, (if you'll allow me to 
use the slang.) It's a very lively fish who can get away from me. 
Well, I put that one in my bag, and wait for more, and I stay 
till I have filled my bag. Then if my wife is busy with home 
duties, such as sitting, so that she can't fish for herself, I go home, 
empty my bag before her, and we take our meals in a respectable 
way, like dignified birds. We never bolt it alive, as some greedy 
fellows do. 
When we have a family of hungry babies, we both fill our bags, 
and feed them. It is no small matter to keep them supplied, I can 
tell you, for we are not small birds, satisfied with a worm or two. 
We are as large as swans, and we have fine great wings, with 
which we can fly as well as any of the little birds. 
Then, if I'm not handsome, I am at least neat and modest 
about my dress. I never flaunt in gaudy colors, as parrots and 
flamingoes do. I dress in simple white, with black trimmings, and 
my wife wears the same ; but we keep the children in plain, sensible 
gray till they are full grown. 
I don't know that you young folks will ever see me, unless you 
travel about somewhat. We don't like your cold climate. We 
prefer the sunny South. Africa and South America are favorite 
places, and of course, as we eat only fish, we live near the water. 
But we're fond of traveling, and we always go in flocks, 
being sociable birds. 
The nest we make for our little ones is always put in some 
snug, dry place among the rocks. It is made of sea-weed and 
other water plants, lined with feathers or something soft, and is very 
comfortable, I assure you. We bring up only two or three babies 
together. 
I don't see how birds can endure the immense families some 
