The Sea-birds’ Nursery 
are struck down by the marauding birds, 
and carried off to feed their young. 
Grouse and plovers from the inland 
moors fare no better, but are caught in 
fair flight with perfect ease. When the 
young are able to fly, they accompany 
the parent birds, and watch them pursue 
and strike their prey, and so soon learn 
to follow their example. And by the 
time they are strong enough, and quick 
enough, to catch and strike down their 
own food, they are driven away from 
the district altogether by the old birds. 
This is what always happens with all 
the birds of prey. And though it seems 
a curious thing for them to do, because, 
while the young are helpless, these birds, 
however fierce they may be, are quite as 
devoted parents as any others, yet there 
is some reason for this behaviour. Too 
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