ard a sound, coming from no great distance,
of "Wow! wow! wow!" and looking along the bough, I caught sight of a
bird rather smaller than the common pigeon, but of beautiful plumage.
Its head and breast were blue, the neck and belly of a bright yellow;
and, from the shortness of its legs, it appeared as if sitting, like a
hen on her nest. It saw me, but made no attempt to move. I had little
hope, however, of catching it with my hands, and suspected that it would
fly away should I attempt to approach it nearer. I therefore retreated,
and considered what was best to be done. Then, I bethought me that by
cutting a long stiff sepo to serve as a wand, I might form a noose at
the end of it, and thus catch not only the bird before me, but any
others which might be in the trees. I immediately put my plan into
execution; and a sepo suitable for the purpose being within my reach, I
cut it. Fortunately I had a piece of string in my pocket, with which I
manufactured a noose; and returning along the branch, I held my wand at
an angle above me, so as to let the end drop down on the bird. I was
more successful than I expected. Not till it actually felt the noose
round its neck, did it attempt to fly; but it was then too late. As I
jerked it towards me, a quantity of feathers fell from it. I got it
speedily in my hands, and, influenced by feeling how acceptable it would
be, immediately wrung its neck, and brought it down in triumph. Looking
round, I saw several other birds of the same species, and was successful
in catching three more; for they made not the slightest attempt to fly
away till I was close upon them.

I at length returned with my game to the large branch where I had left
Uncle Paul and Marian. Arthur and Tim came back about the same time;
the one with some eggs, and the latter with a couple of tree-frogs of
huge size.

"Faith, when a man's hungry he mustn't be particular," observed Tim;
"and it seemed to me that though these beasts are not over pretty to
look at, they might serve to keep body and soul together till better
times come round."

"Very right," said Uncle Paul. "I trust that these few trees will
supply us with sufficient food if we search for it, and I am not very
squeamish as to its character."

Sambo brought in a very ugly-looking lizard; but he declared that it
would prove as good to eat as anything else. We now somewhat anxiously
awaited the return of Kallolo.

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