"What a very peculiar meal!"
"Didn't you know that some Indians are ant-eaters? In the Terre-Froide, for instance, dishes are made of red ants' eggs, and there is one species which secretes a sweet liquid, of which children are very fond."
On the shore of the lake a fresh surprise awaited us. The bank to the right was covered with cranes, and that to the left with spoonbills, with delicate pink plumage, one of which Lucien shot.
"Oh, what beautiful birds!" said he.
"What a curious beak!" he further exclaimed, examining his victim, which Gringalet had just brought him.
"Yes, that is why this bird is called a spoonbill."
"Is it good to eat?"
"It is rather tough; but when any one is hungry—"
Sumichrast put his finger to his lips to enjoin silence; two smaller waders made their appearance and settled close to us.
"Now, Master Sunbeam," said Sumichrast, "fire at the bird to the left, while I aim at the one to the right. Those are egrets, and your sister will like some of their beautiful feathers to put in her hat. Now, then—one, two—fire!"