The wish was echoed by the others; but that very day they had an adventure which startled them considerably, and might have had very serious and fatal consequences. But of this anon.
Presently Dick said,—"I have noticed whenever we see a mud-bank that it is almost sure to be perforated by a number of small holes. What is the reason of that?"
"Oh, that is done by the snipes, when boring in search of food. Woodcocks will do it as well, and the woodcock's upper bill is so long and flexible that it can twist and turn it about in the mud with the greatest ease," answered Frank, who was always ready with an answer on ornithological subjects.
By and by Dick was observed to be looking all about with a very puzzled and curious air, peeping into the cabin, and scrutinizing the deck and the banks with the utmost attention.
"What is the matter, Dick?" said Jimmy at length.
"What on earth is that buzzing noise? It seems to be close to us, and I can't find out the cause of it. I did not like to ask before—it seemed so simple. Is it a big bee, or wasp, or what?"
Frank and Jimmy laughed heartily, and the former said,—
"Look up in the air, Dick."
Dick did so, and saw a bird which he knew to be a snipe, hovering somewhat after the manner of a kestrel, or windhover, as the country people sometimes call it. It was evident now that the noise came from it, but how was it produced, and why?
Frank could not answer either of these questions. It was a habit of the snipes in breeding time to rise and 'drum' in that way.