head scarcely raised above it,
and his stick in advance. The birds, (which were about the size of
turkeys, their heads bare, and their necks ornamented with large frills
of feathers), not descrying the approach of an enemy, continued their
labours, and had already produced a mound two feet in height and a dozen
or more yards in circumference. It was evident, from the way they
worked, and the quantity of earth thrown up at each movement, that they
had remarkably strong legs and claws. Walter doubted much whether Nub
would succeed in catching one; and so got ready an arrow to shoot, in
case they should, on discovering the black, take to flight, and pass
near them, as he thought it probable they would do.

Sometimes Nub lay perfectly still; then again he crept forward, shoving
his noose carefully along the ground till it got very near the outer
circle, to which the birds advanced before beginning to kick up the
soil. At length reaching the last tuft of grass which would assist in
concealing him, he shoved forward his pole to its utmost extent. Back
came one of the birds, and Walter saw that it had actually passed the
noose; then round it turned and began energetically kicking away, not
noticing the trap laid in its path. Presently it stepped into the very
middle of the noose, when Nub by a violent jerk drew it tight, and
starting up, rushed away, dragging the astonished bird after him. The
rest looked about for a moment, very much surprised at the unusual
movements of their companion; but its cries and the appearance of the
black soon told them what had happened, when with loud, croaking sounds
they set off, and rushed towards the very spot where the party lay hid,
evidently intending to fly into the neighbouring trees for shelter. As
they came close, Walter started up, bow in hand, and instantly shot at
the nearest bird; but, to his great disappointment, he missed. The
doctor was equally well prepared; and shooting with steady aim, down
came a bird close to his feet, when, in spite of its struggles and the
fierce way it defended itself with its beak, it was quickly captured Dan
managed to let fly an arrow; but missing, he immediately gave chase to
the rest, several of which, trusting to their feet rather than to their
wings, rushed by him, and went scuttling away at a rapid rate amid the
brushwood.

"Arrah, now," he exclaimed, as he came back, "they all vanished like
imps just in one moment, before I could get h