Journeys to the Planet Mars; or, Our Mission to EntoWeiss, Sara
Religion
Journeys to the Planet Mars; or, Our Mission to Ento
Weiss, Sara
Mars (Planet) -- Miscellanea; Spirit writings
This species of bird is known as Vûln[a:]-kymos (crowned majesty), and
they are found in but two localities. Only when desired for some Rinvoh
do the authorities now permit them to be disturbed. In habit they
are semi-aquatic, and they build their nests on the margin of bodies
of fresh water. Two years previous to my passing to our spirit world
a strong desire for exploration overcame me and, with a scientific
friend, some attendants and necessary supplies, we took passage on an
air transport to a station on nearly the further side of Ento, but
in a latitude approaching the Temperate zone. There we procured some
burthen bearing animals and in an aimless fashion began a journey which
would terminate when my appetite for wandering should become satiated.
The charm of feeling myself free from cares, which never were to my
liking, delighted me and for nearly two days we leisurely wandered
along the shore of a considerable fresh water lake known as Lois[a:]
[a:] lûtyēnos (lake of rushes), so shallow, so limpid, that when rowing
in our portable boat, we plainly saw fishes, large and small, darting
hither and thither through its greatest depths, which were thickly
grown with rushes, rodels and other aquatic plants. Along the shore
large trees and a close undergrowth of shrubs rendered our progress
rather tedious, but as we were in no haste we and our animals enjoyed
the shade and coolness of the forest, which like a wall of living
verdure, encompassed the lake. Toward evening of the third day we came
upon a small, cleared place on the margin of the lake and an unexpected
scene which quite upset our gravity. In the shallow water of the shore
line amid a luxuriant growth of grasses, rushes and weeds, was a huge
nest built of sticks, stones, grasses and clay and, with a leg on
either side, the body of a large and consequential looking bird rested
on its summit. Evidently he was on guard duty and did not enjoy it. His
attitude and preoccupied manner were sufficiently droll to cause us to
burst into laughter. The unusual sound alarmed him, but courageous and
faithful to his charge he stanchly remained on the nest, loudly calling
to his mate who, at a distance, was feeding among the rank growths of
the shallows. Instantly, with shrill cries and hisses, half flying,
half running, she rushed to the defense of her possessions. Our
attendants drew further away, but that we might observe the creatures,
my friend and I secreted ourselves amid the underbrush. The two birds
held a hurried consultation; then the female shaking her beautiful
plumage dry, with one leg on either side of the nest brooded over its
contents while the male bird in stately but watchful fashion promenaded
in the margin of the lake, now and anon unbending his dignity that he
might snatch from the water some unwary fish or other creature.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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