THE CALIFORNIA GULL. 



735 



you know: and so wliv doesn't the wind take the kite along with it? 

 Well, there you are : and not e\en Hamilton, who discovered quaternions, 

 could have given the mathematics of it. The Bluebird and Phoebe are 

 smarter than we be, and we'd gi\'e a cool billion to get the receipt. 



Forward and back, to and fro, and around — why. Hello! There's a 

 bird without any feet. Won't he ha\'e a hard time of it tho ! And now — • 

 why, there's another! Xot a vestige! The immaculate feathers close over 

 the footless stumps and betray no sign of their presence. The wind is 

 searching, and Mr. Gull, who does not approve of chilblains, kicks his v'ellow 

 feet one at a time under the white blanket of feathers provided by the under 

 tail-coverts, and proceeds footless upon the mazy journe\-. What's the use 

 of feet anyway when you have wings? 



On the voyage feet are useful only as the birds take turns at the mast 

 liead, pausing for a moment with wings gracefull}- outstretched until they 

 have mastered the motion of the boat. These stations on mast and flag- 

 staff are jealously coveted, and the gull that would hold one must be vigilant 

 in defense, or at least ready to bluff the aspirant with a mighty scowl. 

 Otherwise a Cjuick dab from behind will upset the dignified Burgomaster, 

 balance, dignity, and all. But who may comprehenrl by epithet or episode 

 the unflagging charm of the white-winged fleet, — now in the \'an leading 

 awav with brave impudence, now registering a retreat with far-flung shadows 

 on the smoke-stack, now trailing laboriously in the wake like faithful hounds 

 in leash. What humilitv of supplication ! \\'hat perfect independence ! What 



condescension of grace! What boundless e.xultation of wings 

 Oh, who would not gi\e hands and feet for wings! 



:Vl!lf/S. WINGS 



Taken in Seattle. 



From a Photografii. Copyright. 1908, by IV. L. Dazoson. 



TO .-SiRMS! 



CALIFORNIA GULLS QUITTING THE TIDE-FL-ATS. 



