ISrONSUCH 



tossed out into the air they immediately resumed 

 the battle on the wing. 



They seem tireless in flight, and I have rarely 

 seen them resting upon the water. Ten miles out at 

 sea a solitary bird will now and then appear, and 

 swoop low over the tug, dipping his ensign to his 

 fellow neighbors of Nonsuch. Then he resumes 

 his chief est, but one, duty in life, his search for food, 

 and when this is found he broad-arrows his whole 

 being, and with gravitation for impetus, shoots 

 down upon squid or fish. Such mastery over the air 

 and sea have these tropicbirds that it is less wonder- 

 ful that they can control their inner selves. The 

 squid may be swallowed and digested at once. Or 

 if it is intended as sustenance for mate or offspring 

 it can be stored in the gullet. Hours later when it is 

 decanted into the maw of the young bird it is as 

 fresh as when newly caught. 



As one walks along the cliff edge of Nonsuch 

 or clambers up and down the diminutive canyons 

 and Bad Lands near the water, a vocal mine is 

 sprung now and then apparently beneath one's feet, 

 a sudden unexpected, screeching, unoiled rattle 

 which startles the calmest nerves. This is a parent 

 tropicbird objecting with raucous protest to the in- 

 vasion of her domain. The nearest crevice or tunnel 

 shows her flashing eyes, and her yellow beak half 

 open ready for able defense. We nudge her to one 

 side and the immaculate contour of her breast is 

 disturbed by a segment of purplish brown egg, or 

 through the white feathers there pops a tiny head 



152 



