64 STORIES OF BIRD LIFE 



Cobb's Island, at the time of my visit in June, was the 

 home of many birds of the sea. On a strii;) of sandy beach 

 well up from the reach of the waves the beautiful long 

 winged sea swallows, or terns, had their homes. With 

 them were also associated the black skimmers. These are 

 birds which, with long knife-like bills, skim their food from 

 the waves as they wander along the seacoast. From the 

 habit of coming close to shore during bad weather they 

 are often called by the fishermen ' ' storm gulls. " ^ ' Shear- 

 water '' is also a popular name in some localities. 



One of the prettiest sights 

 of the coast is a tern ; in fact, 

 no ocean view is complete 

 without one. Beautifully 

 balancing on wings of pearl 

 he comes floating down the 

 wind as lightly as a fragment of cloud might drift before 

 the breeze. In flight he has the perfection of movement and 

 the embodiment of grace. What human eye can mark 

 his course and not feel the cesthetic thrill that ever stirs the 

 mind when in the presence of one of Nature's master- 

 pieces! His bright eye catches the sunlight glint on the 

 scales of a fish among the tossing waves and swift as an 

 arrow he strikes headlong into the deep. The downward 

 l^lunge is as sudden as it is swift and seldom does the bird 

 miss his mark. 



