CHAPTER XI 



AVIATORS 



High on the cliffs, down on the shelly reef. 

 Or gliding like a silver-shaded cloud 

 Through the blue heaven, the mighty albatross 

 Inhaled the breezes, sought his humble food. 

 Or, where his kindred like a flock reposed. 

 Without a shepherd, on the grassy downs. 

 Smoothed his white fleece, and slumbered in 

 their midst. 



— Montgomery. 



AVIATION is a new art in the human world, 

 but with birds it is as old as the hills, and it 

 is their most important accomplishment. All birds 

 either fly or have been fliers at some time in their 

 race history; many can scarcely walk at all on the 

 ground, and consequently spend their lives among 

 the clouds — coming to earth only long enough to 

 rear their young. They are kings indeed, and have 

 that great gift — flight — which nature has denied 

 even to man. 



Of all bird-aviators those of the sea are of neces- 

 sity most successful in sustained flight. Nothing so 



172 



