AND OTHER BIRDS U3 



Tlie loss of this sitting bird's mate could, of 

 couTse, only recently have occurred; but I 

 believe it had occurred, and that now she was 

 attempting ahaie to hatch out the doubtless 

 much-incubated eggs, and in her eifort even 

 denying hei-self food. 



Immediately upon emerging from their shells 

 the young, I think, are taken down to the beach, 

 not at hrst to feed themselves, but for the 

 shelter and cover of the intricate dimes. 



On the spent waves' very edge and where the 

 bul)bles of their thin wash instantly disa])])ear 

 the mature birds may be watched feeding on 

 stuff exposed by the falling tide, not ]n'obing 

 as the gi-anite hill bird had done, and as the bill 

 formation of the species might suggest that the 

 breed should always do, Imt very delicately 

 gathering their meals from the surface. 



