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Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 1, 26 September 1919, Page 7

As silly as awet lien" is a somewhat common saying, but it is doubtful from tho following story vouched for by a correspondent, to a iUiristchurch paper, whether such a term would he applicable to a "dry rooster." Some lev.- days agD, in tho Akaroa district, a hen hatched a brood of seven or eight chicks,.and then relieved itself of all responsibility by dying'. The following day, to the owner's surprise, the chicks found a guardian in a young bantam orostor, which managed very well until evening, when trouble began. He imitated the mother iu trying to cover the chickens with his wings, but whichever.way he turned lie found portions of his family undergoing open-air treatment. This, however, evidently caused the young birds no inconvonience, for they continued to thrive. A.day or two after fresh trouble ensued, for one of the chicks was attracted by tho sparkling waters of n creek in a cormer of the yard. Tho bantam clucked loudly, but the wilful one heeded him not. After several vain attempts to attract its attention, he rushed wildly to the edge of the creek, seized the erring one by the back of the neck and forcibly dragged it to a pl?.ce of safety.