248 



Bird- Lore 



chief, factor in their steering method. Occasionally, I saw a bird flapping its 

 wings often, as though it were for the moment tired of sailing, or found diflficulty 

 in getting properly started, but this was exceptional. 



" The Cape Dove seems to be much like the Cape Pigeon in flight and habits, 

 ■coming about the ship with equal fearlessness and being equally eager for food 

 which may come from her. The light mark near the end of the wing also suggests 

 the stronger though not dissimilarly placed mark in the Cape Pigeon, and I find 

 it very useful in recognizing the species. 



" Later I had a chance to watch a few Phcrbetria and one or two large Alba- 

 trosses. The flight is the same as that just described. Perhaps Phoebetria is more 

 inclined than the other birds to half flap its wings, a tremor, which it is hard to 

 •decide to have been flapping, or simply adjustment of the wings in sailing. 



"October 31. At sunset watched a Phcebetria sailing about, back and 

 forth, at times passing directly over the ship, and when highest in the air, I should 

 say a little higher than her masts, I watched it for some time, constantly, until 

 it sailed astern and I lost track of it for the moment. Only once or twice was it out 

 of my sight for an instant, and I did not see it flap its wings once. It was sailing 

 -constantly. There was a breeze, but it was not blowing hard." 



One thing all the members of the Petrel order with which I am familiar have 

 in common, — they fly low. Their method seems to be to fly about over the sea 

 scrutinizing the miles of salt water which slip by below them for what they may 

 pick up; at the same time ready to take the hint from another more fortunate 

 bird which they see drop down to some food it has spied. Luck must play a big 

 part in this game, and who can say how many miles sometimes go by without 

 yielding return. But miles mean little to them, and a day's gorging doubtless 

 -compensates for days of want. 



C.A.PE HORN' 



