198 I\lr. K. Hull on Birds 



whirling inimefliately above us, uitli many others still higher 

 in the air. Noticing the latter, it is evident in a moment 

 that they soar easily 3 for in such a position they will sustain 

 their flight for many minutes together with no apparent 

 flapping of the wings. The wheeling is either upwards or 

 downwards, but mostly in the latter direction. Croaking 

 emanates priticipally from the birds in the " rookery/' 

 screeching from those above, and the cry of " wide-a-wake " 

 from a fcAV in the distance. All three sounds may be heard 

 aloft. 



At the further end of the island was another " rookery " of 

 like proportions. The opening day of the laying-season meant 

 that the birds^ evening fishing-excursion was abandoned. As 

 the sun was setting, at 6.45 p.m., they were as active and noisy 

 as during the other hours of the day. At 9.30 the din was 

 just as strong, and before daylight the babel was still much 

 the same. The fishermen told me that on this first night 

 no birds sleep. The whole island is flat and untimbered, and 

 the two compact " rookeries ^ severally occupy a few acres as 

 far away from each other as the length of the island permits. 

 Apart from the breeding-months the "Wide-a-wake'^ is not 

 to be seen on these islands during daylight, but Mr. Beddoes 

 says that it may be heard overhead in the night. That 

 gentleman further told me that when nesting is concluded all 

 the birds leave together or at about the same time, meaning 

 that within three days the whole three thousand comprised 

 in each " rookery " move away to sea. The young are daily 

 trained to go further from land and to remain longer absent, 

 the instruction and encouragement occupying three or four 

 weeks. While the " Sooties " are breeding upon the 

 ground, the " Noddies " are nesting upon the bushes some 

 two or three feet above it ; and when some of the eggs are 

 exchanged the birds make no objection, but '' sit on.'' The 

 " Noddies " will hatch out the " Sooty's " eggs and feed the 

 young until they are ready to run about, but no longer. 

 The old " Noddy " is a quiet unassuming bird, and certainly 

 does not like the noise of the young " Sooty," which is " a 

 chip of the old block.'' So pugnacious is the latter species 



