GULLS AND TERNS AT HOME 411 



" Yes — though they are not able to take care of 

 themselves as quickly as young Ducks. But as soon 

 as they can leave the nest, they walk down to the 

 water's edge and eat a sort .of gluey stuff that floats in 

 on the water. So you see that unless the law protected 

 them they might be very easily stolen or destroyed 

 before their wings were strong enough to fly." 



'' It must be very cold for them here in the winter." 



" It would be if they were obliged to stay ; but both 

 Gulls and Terns scatter all over the country to winter, 

 though the Terns travel much further south." 



By this time the lighthouse keeper had made his 

 way over to them. Finding Avho they were, he invited 

 them to bring their luncheon and row over to Little 

 Gull Island with him, to see the lighthouse. 



There was a dancing breeze when they turned home- 

 ward that afternoon ; the boat canted saucily, and little 

 feathers of spray kept tickling Dodo's nose. 



" Are there any more water birds that we are likely 

 to see this fall ? " asked Nat, as the Gull Islands disap- 

 peared behind them. 



" There will be great flocks of Wild Geese coming 

 down from the North, and they often rest on the mill 

 pond ; or a Loon may chance down the river, and a 

 Grebe or two." 



"Are Geese Ducks? " asked Dodo, and then laughed 

 with the others at the question. 



" Not precisely — no more than rats are mice, " said 

 the Doctor ; " but both Ducks and Geese belong to tlie 

 same family." 



"And what are the others — the Loons and Grubs 

 — are they wading or swimming birds ? " 



