Child\'s Book of Water Birds
THE SWAN. The Swan is a very beautiful bird. It is generally white, though a black swan has been discovered in Australia. It is not very often seen in this country. It was brought from Asia and Eastern Europe into England--from whence, most probably, a few specimens have been introduced into this country. The Swan is very graceful in the water, but on land it is an awkward waddler. [Illustration] THE COOT. The Coot is generally found in large sheets of water, particularly if shaded by trees. The nest is a mass of flags, reeds, and grass, usually at the water's edge, but sometimes actually in the water. The Coot's
"Who are you?" whispered the colonel.
"If the colonel pleases--l'Hirondelle."
I heard the colonel's breath come and go as he peered, leaning forward
to the soldierly figure. "_Nom de Ciel_," he murmured, "I believe it
is." Then in sharp sentences: "You were reported killed. Are you a
deserter?"
The steady image of a soldier dropped back a step.
"My colonel--no."
"Explain this."
Rafael--l'Hirondelle--explained. He had not been killed, but captured
and sent to a German prison-camp.
"You escaped?" the colonel threw in.
"But yes, my colonel."
The colonel laughed. "One would know it. The clumsy Boches could not
hold the Swallow."
"But no, my colonel."
THE SWAN. The Swan is a very beautiful bird. It is generally white, though a black swan has been discovered in Australia. It is not very often seen in this country. It was brought from Asia and Eastern Europe into England--from whence, most probably, a few specimens have been introduced into this country. The Swan is very graceful in the water, but on land it is an awkward waddler. [Illustration] THE COOT. The Coot is generally found in large sheets of water, particularly if shaded by trees. The nest is a mass of flags, reeds, and grass, usually at the water's edge, but sometimes actually in the water. The Coot's