"No," answered Bell, "but I warrant you that the eggs must have been hard set, and near to being hatched, or she would never have done that." "She deserves to hatch them, at any rate. Had we better fix the nest or leave it alone?" "Better leave it alone; I think she will stick to it if it does not sink below her." [Illustration: THE COMMON COOT.] On Monday evening the boys sailed about the broad in search of the floating coot's nest, and found it among the reeds at the north end of the broad, and from the broken egg-shells in it they had no doubt but that the coot had hatched her young ones in safety, as she deserved to do. After landing Bell they ran the yacht into a 'rond' of reeds, and proceeded to eat their dinner, which they had brought with them, and very happy and comfortable they were. The sun shone brightly, the warm wind rustled through the reeds and flags, the sky and the water were blue, their boat was a success, and they sat and talked of cruises, and planned expeditions, and were as merry and jolly as any boys need desire to be. While they were talking, half-a-dozen tiny little gold-crested wrens alighted on the cordage of the mast. They seemed very tame and tired, and descended to the deck to eat some crumbs which were thrown to them. [Illustration: COMMON WREN AND EGG.] "What pretty little things they are, with their fiery yellow heads," said Frank. "To think a tiny bird like that could make a long migration! These birds have only just arrived, that's clear." "Do gold crests migrate?" asked Jimmy. "Yes, they go south for the winter, and come back again in the spring. I don't know how far they go, but they have been taken some distance from land. More probably, however, these have been blown from the coast, for I don't think they cross the sea as a rule." As they returned homeward, the boys in running round a point of reeds, came upon a heron, which scuttled away in great haste, and in a very undignified manner. It seemed at first as if they should catch him, as they followed him so closely, but as he got fairly away, he rose in the air and distanced them. "How slowly he flaps his wings," said Dick. "How many times a minute do you think he flaps them?" asked Jimmy. [Illustration: HERON.] "Just about forty, at the outside," replied Dick. "Well, do you count, while I time you," and Jimmy took out his watch and marked the time, while Dick counted one, two, three, &c. When he had counted 120 Jimmy said-- "Stop, the minute is up. Aren't you astonished?" "I am, and no mistake. How deceptive his flight is, and just fancy at what a pace must the wings of the smaller birds go!" They brought the yacht to anchor in front of the boat-house, and went home to relate the adventures of their voyage. CHAPTER VI. Mr. Meredith.--"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."--A Botanical Lecture.--The Goat Moth.--Blowing up a Tree.-- An astonished Cow.--Caterpillars in the Wood.