t, so that it
looked more like a bag of jelly than any living thing, with a head and
feet and commencement of wings stuck on to it. The little creature
seemed in no way frightened, but opened its mouth as if expecting to be
fed. We brought it to its mother, who immediately recognised it, and
when we handed her a piece of fruit she took it and gave a portion to
her offspring, who lifted up its beak to receive it.

"Oh, I will carry it!" cried Grace. "I should not like the poor little
thing to be hurt."

Grace had a kind heart, and was always ready to sympathise with any one
in distress. We accordingly made a basket of palm-leaves, and Dick
again ascended the tree to bring out the lining of the nest. This we
put into the basket, and the bird was placed upon it. The mother again
began to scream loudly when we took away its young.

"Come, old lady, I'll carry you," said Roger Trew, lifting up the hen
hornbill; but the bird fought so desperately that he was glad to put her
down again. "We must tie your legs and put your nose in a bag, ma'am,"
said Roger, "or you will be doing some one a mischief."

A larger basket was therefore made, into which we put the old bird,
fastening in its head at the same time. Mr Sedgwick was highly
delighted with his prize. He had always wished to get one of these
birds; but had failed to find them, though he had seen them at a
distance, and therefore knew that they were in the island. He was aware
of this habit of the male bird of plastering up his mate with her egg,
and bringing her food while it was being hatched. Several other
hornbills act in the same way.

We continued our journey for some time along the banks of the stream,
which sparkled brightly as it made its way through the forest. Then we
began gradually to ascend the mountains we had seen in the distance.
Nothing could exceed the beauty of the forest trees amid which we were
making our way--lofty palms, and the wonderful screw-palm, tall
cocoa-nut palms, and a number of trees of the same description. Here
and there also were groups of bamboos; and in many places ratans grew,
hanging from tree to tree. Now and then we met with beautiful flowers
and flowering shrubs, but they were not so common as we expected. Their
size and brilliancy, however, made amends for their scarcity. Among
them were some creepers, having crimson and yellow flowers; others were
of a rich purple colour. Among the most beautiful was one whi