During out first day in our new camp my eyes continually scanned the sky and the surface of the lake but the sun disappeared beyond the mountain, and the shadows of night, lighted by Entola̤ and Ementola̤ (Ento's moons) brooded over the quiet water of Loisa̤ Rûmēsa̤. Scarcely had twilight deepened into darkness when our ears were assailed by murmuring musical sounds interspersed with harsh grating cries and sharp hisses, and by the dim moon light we perceived huge, shadowy forms, slowly descending to the quiet surface of the lake where they remained silent and apparently motionless. The night waned, and earliest dawn illuminated a scene so weirdly strange that our hearts beat with unwonted celerity. High up in the quiet air, so high, indeed that they appeared like mere shadows, ten of the great birds with wide-spreading wings sailed in circles or were as motionless as the stars, which yet were shining dimly. So startling, so unusual was the spectacle that our attendants were quite alarmed; even our animals grew restless, crowding together in evident terror. As dawn brightened into day and the sun arose above the horizon the creatures slowly and with the same peculiar humming sound, descended to the bosom of the lake where, for a time, they were rocked by the undulating waves, then, in a body, they arose to a great height and flew westward. During fourteen days they came at nightfall and in the morning disappeared, always in the same direction from which we inferred that elsewhere, while the females were brooding or rearing their young the male birds made of the shallow waters of the eastern shore of Rûmēsa̤, a night resort; so, patiently we awaited developments. So fearless were the creatures that frequently they swam ashore, walking leisurely along its margin and eyeing us with amusing curiosity, but when we attempted to approach them they hissed sharply, and, stepping into the water, swam away. We might have killed or captured the great fearless creatures, but such an ignominious act was far from our thoughts. It seemed little less than a crime to disturb their serene confidence in their security, so while we closely observed their habits we were careful to neither molest or alarm them. At nightfall of the fifteenth day among the creatures, for a time there was an unusual commotion, followed by profound stillness. At earliest dawn there was the usual rush of wings and upward flight of shadowy forms, and when the light grew strong enough to see objects clearly the sight that greeted our eyes filled us with amazed delight. Leisurely moving on the bosom of the lake were seven great birds of a dull brown color and of the same species as those sailing overhead. Each female was accompanied by one or two young birds about as large as a—Ah, De L'Ester, to what shall I compare them? A duck? What a droll word. Later we learned that on the mountainous, western shore of Loisa̤ Rûmēsa̤ the young had come into existence from whence on the broad backs of their mothers, who now solicitously were caring for them, they had been borne hither. At once we set about arranging for the conveyance of some of the young to Camarissa̤. As we were provided with water tight receptacles in which to place them, it only remained for us to learn how the little creatures were nourished. This we quickly observed was accomplished through their mothers feeding them small fishes, or larger ones torn in bits by their strong teeth and webbed talons.
All things being in readiness we launched our portable boat, and easily captured three pairs of the pretty struggling creatures. To our surprise the parents offered but slight opposition, and quietly followed their progeny quite to the shore, then turned and swam away.
Early in the dawn of the following day we began our return journey to Camarissa̤. That we might remain within easy reach of fresh water and live fishes we travelled southward along the eastern shore of the lake. Five days brought us to its southern extremity, and at the close of two days' further travel in a southeasterly direction, we arrived at an air transport and Tuzamo Station, and quickly thereafter we and our captives were in Camarissa̤. Not all of them, however, for two had succumbed to the vicissitudes of the journey.
This great wire-covered compartment afforded the survivors conditions suited to their requirements, and although the young creatures were very delicate, one male and two females survived, and during after years their offspring so increased in numbers that several pairs have been presented to other Rinvohs. They are known as gariffo tsûvon (bird of the cloudgod, Tsûvon). No, they are neither long lived or of a migratory habit, and previous to our unlooked for discovery of them they were thought to be an extinct species, and strangely enough, within a few years afterward, not one in a wild state survived.
De L'Ester—Gentola̤, again we are holding you too long, and at once must return you to Earth. It might be wise to defer for a few days your next visit to Ento, but as Ha̤-Moûfih soon must leave us, we greatly desire that you shall be with us to-morrow. If we find you unequal to the journey, we will not risk your safety. Previous to coming to you we propose that Ha̤-Moûfih shall attempt a short visit to Earth, so we will not be with you until two o'clock P.M. Now, George and Inez will convey you to your home where you must rest, rest, rest, and where ministering loving ones will strengthen you.
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IN THE GALARESA.