200 THE STORY OF BIRD-LIFE. 



insects, often in great numbers, especially after 

 gales. 



As regards existing continents, it seems there 

 is no good ground for supposing that their posi- 

 tion, as a Avhole, has changed. In other words, 

 the great ocean basins which divide them have 

 remained the same for countless ages. It is 

 true that each of the great continents may have 

 suffered a sojourn beneath the sea, but this has 

 never been more than a partial submergence. 

 This has taken the form of denudation, or sub- 

 sidence in one part, with a proportionate en- 

 croachment of the sea, only to be balanced by 

 a proportionate elevation in some other part. 



CHAPTER XI. 



PEDIGREES AND FAMILY TIES. 



Amongst ourselves "blue-blood" and ancient 

 lineage, if not exactly "convertible goods," have 

 undoubtedly a certain market value in the world 

 of to-day. To have come of " a race of kings " 

 is almost sure to procure for the proud descen- 

 dant — where these things are appreciated — a 

 certain deference that is never accorded his more 

 obscure brethren, always provided, of course, that 

 he shows himself worthy of our respect in other 

 things. Nevertheless this same descendant may, 

 in all things else, prove in no way superior to his 

 obscurely born neighbours. In mental capacity, 

 in energy and physique, he may even be inferior. 

 In spite of this, his credentials are good, and he 



