A First Glance at the Birds, 



more oriol does about New York, and 

 so on throughout the list. 



To know the birds we must see them 

 in their native haunts — on the ocean, 

 about the shores, in the sage-brush and 

 the pine woods. The sea birds include 

 the lowest types. They are the least 

 lovable, least human of our birds, but 

 to the naturalist of peculiar interest on 

 account of their low organization. 

 They are unemotional, comparatively 

 unintelligent, and not infrequently gro- 

 tesque in form, but they are wonderfully 

 well adapted to the life they lead. While 

 crossing the ferry some quiet day in 

 winter you may notice, swimming about 

 near the shore, a bird which appears to 

 possess little besides a long, slender, erect 

 neck, a small head, and a long, sharp, 

 spear-like beak. Suddenly, without the 

 slightest warning, the bird vanishes be- 

 neath the tide. You may watch the 

 spot in vain for its reappearance, for 

 away off in another direction it is calmly 

 swimming away. It is the western grebe, 

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