while the females were brooding or rearing their young the male birds made of the shallow waters of the eastern shore of Rûmēs[a:], 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 Lois[a:] Rûmēs[a:] 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 Camariss[a:]. 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 Camariss[a:]. 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 Camariss[a:]. Not all of them, however, for two had succumbed to the vicissitudes of the journey.