Page:Here and there in Yucatan - miscellanies (IA herethereinyucat00lepl 0).djvu/136

 to be very watchful, because she had seen a large iguana close by. "Be sure you do not abandon the nest one minute," she said, as she put the last touch to her feathers and flew away.

Hardly was she out of sight when an acquaintance came to invite Mr. Owl to go a short distance with her to look at her own beautiful offspring that had just opened their lovely eyes.

"Impossible!" he said, "my wife has left me to take care of this nest."

But the other enticed him, saying. "You can return immediately, and she will not know you have been out."

The foolish bird allowed himself to be persuaded, and away he flew to gratify his neighbor's wish and his own curiosity.

Meanwhile, the dreaded iguana had the nest in view, being on the trunk of a tree near by. As soon as the white-breasted owl had gone, he crawled down to the ground and rustled through the dry leaves scattered at the foot of the tree. Stealthily approaching the coveted eggs he carefully took one between his jaws and went behind a big stone to enjoy his ill-gotten meal. Before he had time to go for the other, the truant owl returned, and great was his dismay.