226 NATURE STUDY. 



though it could not have rested since it left the land. 

 There is no migration route near this place, so it must 

 have been forced seaward while feeding or fl5'ing along the 

 shore. The bird was caught, and, after one wing was 

 clipped, made itself perfectly at home on board ship. It 

 fell overboard twice, but kept afloat until rescued by a 

 boat's crew. The heron was confined for a time in the po- 

 tato bin, and defended this base of supplies so vigorously 

 that the daily ration for the crew was obtained only with 

 difficulty. Fish scraps kept the bird in fine condition un- 

 til it reached New York, and finally its home in the zoo- 

 logical park. 



The bird which thus far holds the record for a sensation- 

 al capture among the birds in the collection is a little En- 

 glish turtle dove, which flew exhausted on board the Ham- 

 burg-American liner Phoenicia when that ship was not 

 less than seven hundred and fifty miles from the nearest 

 land, the coast of Ireland. It was so famished and bruised 

 by the wind and rain that it showed no fear, but allowed 

 itself to be caught and carried to the dining-room, where 

 it ate to its heart's content. What a terrible experience 

 it must have passed through, heading mile after mile for 

 midocean, powerless to turn and beat back against the ir- 

 resistible force of the tempest ! How it must have strained 

 for a glimpse of some resting place, some hint of a haven, 

 and how welcome must have been the sight of the ship, 

 whose path it so fortunately crossed ! 



Hundreds of birds must perish in this way, judging 

 from the number which occasionally find temporary rest- 

 ing places on the yardarms of ships. The storms which 

 carry them from shore die away and leave them bewildered 

 in a waste of waters with no food, drink or perching place 

 within sight, and ravenous fishes waiting for the moment 

 when at last the tired wings refuse to do their work. 



Seven hundred and fifty miles with nothing but its 



