Page:The Swiss Family Robinson (Kingston).djvu/123

Rh breasts were visible. One of those which fell was perfectly dead, but the other appeared only slightly wounded in the wing, for it made off across the swampy ground. I attempted to follow, but soon found that progress was impossible on the marsh; Juno, however, chased the bird, and, seizing it, speedily brought it to my feet. Fritz and Ernest were delighted at the sight of our prize. “What a handsone bird!” exclaimed they. “Is it much hurt? Let us tame it and let it run about with the fowls.

“Its plumage is much more brilliant than that of the dead one,” remarked Fritz.

“Yes,” said Ernest, “this is a full-grown bird, while yours is younger; it is some years before they reach perfection. See what long active legs it has, like those of a stork, while with its great webbed feet it can swim faster than a goose. Earth, air, or water is all the same to the flamingo, it is equally at home in any one of the three.”

“Well,” said Fritz, “let us take the dead one to mother and get her to introduce it to the other element, and see what it will make of that; if it is young and tender, as you say, it should make a delicious roast.”

Fritz and Ernest then carried the birds and bamboos to the tree, while I proceeded to cut my reeds. I chose those which had flowered, knowing that they were harder, and having cut a sufficient quantity of these, I selected one or two of the tallest canes I could find to assist me in measuring the height of the tree. I then bound them together and returned to my family.

“Do you mean to keep this great hungry bird Fritz has brought?” said my wife. “It is another mouth to feed, remember, and provisions are still scarce.”

“Luckily,” I replied, “the flamingo will not eat grain like our poultry, but will be quite satisfied with insects, fish, and little crabs, which it will pick up for itself. Pray reassure yourself, therefore, and let me see to the poor bird's wound.”