MOTHER LOVE—A True Story

Forest and Bird, Issue 59, 1 February 1941, Page 16

MOTHER LOVE—A True Story

(By Ruth Hertslet) (See cover picture)

II CHILDREN’S PAGE |

TIMOTHY rode proudly beside farmer Bill. It was good to be astride Toby, his little chestnut pony, cantering with Bill over the tussocky paddocks! It was good to be able to open gates without dismountingand once once he had jumped a low fence! Perhaps Bill would let him jump the fence again to-day! His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a queer noise. Looking down, he saw before him a strange bird crying piteously, its wing dragging helplessly on the ground. “Oh, poor thing! It’s broken a wing,” cried Tim; and in a moment he was off his pony, stooping to pick up the wounded bird. It fluttered just out of reach and Timothy ran after it as fast as his chubby legs could carry him. For a chain or more he chased it, but always the bird eluded him. At last, to his utter amazement it flew away, only to return and flop once more in front of Bill. Tim’s face was a picture as he watched the bird’s antics. “It’s a dotterel,” Bill said, “and it’s only pretending.” (See cover picture.)

“But why?” persisted Tim. “I was sure its wing was broken, but it can fly perfectly well. Why does it behave in such a funny way, Bill?” “It must have a young one somewhere near,” Bill replied. “It pretends its wing is broken to entice us away.”

“How clever, how brave,” murmured Tim.

“There it is,” cried Bill suddenly, and Tim saw a tiny ball of yellow fluff moving with incredible speed. Indeed, he could hardly believe that anything so small could move so rapidly.

“Chuck!” the mother dotterel gave a warning sound, and the 'youngster disappeared into the middle of a yellow tussock. Try as he might, Tim could see no trace of the baby dotterel, though he stood quite near to the tussock into which it had disappeared. Bill’s sharp country eyes, however, missed nothing. Swinging himself leisurely from his horse, he walked to the tussock, and soon had the little yellow ball in his hand.

“ Isn’t it cute!” cried Tim in delight. “ It’s so small and quick and dainty. Oh, Bill, can I have it for a pet?” “Yes, you can,” replied Bill. “There’s a

spare cage at home, and I’m sure we could rear it.”

“Oh, thank you,” answered the little lad, his eyes shining with pleasure.

Carefully Bill put the small bird in his big coat pocket and buttoned down the flap. “Well, Tim, we’d better be making tracks for home if we want any lunch,” said he, and off they set at a swinging canter. Timothy’s heart was filled with delight. Oh, the joy of cantering over those tussocky paddocks; the thrill of feeling Toby’s warm body beneath his chubby legs; and now, to crown it all, this fluffy pet for him to care for! On they cantered, but round and round them flew the grey bird with its banded breast —crying piteously. Several times it darted at Bill’s pocket. Nearer and nearer it came, seeming to lose all fear in its anxiety for its baby. They cantered on for three miles, but the grey bird never left them. Dismounting at the stable door, Bill led his horse to the farthest stall. After the brilliant sunshine, the interior of the stables seemed quite dim, but the mother dotterel did not hesitate. This man had her baby, and in she went after him right into the darkness of the farthest stall.

“Bill,” called Tim softly, “could I have the little dotterel now?”

“Here you are,” came the cheery reply, and Bill put the little yellow ball into the boy’s hand. “Carry it gently, won’t you?” Tim looked longingly at the tiny bird, and the mother, seeing her baby, cried louder than ever. Quietly Tim walked to the stable door, then set the wee bird on the ground. In the twinkling of an eye the mother was beside it, and off they ran, so fast that Tim could scarcely believe his eyes. He was looking after them, smiling gently, then Bill came out. “Where’s the bird? Did it get away?” he asked in surprise. “ I’m sorry, Bill,” Tim answered softly. “ The mother needed it more than I did.”

“ I’m glad you feel like that, Tim,’ said the big farmer, as he watched the proud mother swiftly disappearing with the tiny yellow ball of fluff. “Such mother love certainly deserved to be rewarded.”