178 



WILD WINGS 



In this way the Httle black imps strike one as comical, quaint, 

 almost pompous. Especially when they make love, it is worth 

 a great deal to watch a couple facing each other, sidling 

 about, the male — probably it is — going through a series of 

 dignified bowings and attempted caresses, until one might 

 well laugh aloud and frighten the performers. 



BLACK GUILLEMOTS. "CURIOSITY SEEMS TO BE ONE OK THEIR MOST 

 STRIKING CHARACTERISTICS'' 



Curiosity seems to be one of their most striking character- 

 istics. Naturally rather timid, they will usually fly before one 

 can walk up boldlv verv near them. But what a great difTer- 

 ence it will make if one tries to sneak up behind the rocks ! 

 An occasional glimpse, though it reveals the presence of the 

 intruder, does not really alarm them. They do so wonder 

 what he is up to, what sort of a body is beneath that bobbing 

 head, perhaps what sort of shoes he wears, that they forget 

 all about flight. When very near, he can gradually and 



