"Then I eat it. If it is a fish I swallow it, head first, so that the scales shall not scratch my throat.
"But see, Phyllis, the sun has set, and I have not yet had my supper. I really must leave you!"
Then the great blue heron rose slowly and silently and circled away over the flat sea-marshes. Barefooted Phyllis scampered back to the little seaside cottage, where a fish supper was awaiting her.
SEA-PIGEONS
It was very early in the spring. The sun rose, stayed for only a moment above the horizon, and then sank again from the sight of Eskimo children.
But already huge icebergs broke from the shore and floated out to sea. Already the icy winds hurried away farther north. Already a few of the bravest birds were returning for the summer season.
It happened that a whole family of Eskimo children ran shouting and laughing along the top of a cliff which overhung the sea.
The older ones cared for the little ones. All were as happy and thoughtless as children could be. In their glee they took off their boots and ran with bare feet.
Now below the cliff on the ice waited some Eskimo hunters. They watched the huge cakes of ice farther out break off and float away. They knew that soon the ice nearer shore would crack and float off in the same manner.