230 Among the Birds in Northern Shires. 



in an indistinct haze, is apparently deserted of bird- 

 life. But we will get aboard this well-found taut little 

 coble, hoist the brown sail and put her nose before 

 the spanking breeze, and see what birds we may fall 

 in with durinor a few hours' cruise. Behind the 

 headland yonder, and at no great distance from land, 

 a mixed company of Terns are fishing. There are 

 few prettier sights than this amongst bird-life on the 

 sea, especially should a shoal of fry chance to be 

 swimming close to the surface. Above the moving 

 mass of glittering fish the snow-white looking Terns 

 flutter and poise and drift to and fro in a constantly- 

 changing throng; many birds are swimming above 

 the shoal, and every few moments one of the flying 

 Terns drops down like a stone into the water with a 

 splash that we can hear half a mile or more across 

 the sea. The force with which they descend is 

 scarcely sufficient to immerse their light bodies, and 

 before the spray has cleared the bird is either up 

 again into the air, or swallowing the captured fish 

 whilst sitting on the surface. A few Gulls are flying 

 about close by, but these birds prefer larger game; 

 although occasionally they will chase a Tern that 

 may chance to be passing with a tiny fish and en- 

 deavour to make the poor little bird drop its capture. 

 Out in the offing the Gulls are much more numerous, 

 for there the fishing: fleet is at work, and the birds 

 hover around ready to pick up any unconsidered 



