HOMING OF SEA-SWALLOWS 



for about 200 yards, then turned suddenly and 

 started east. ' ' They had a strong head wind against 

 them throughout the first day, but two of the 

 Noddies returned in safety to Bird Key. 



We do not know how the homing is managed, but 

 it is something to be sure of the fact that untrained 

 birds can return successfully across the apparently 

 trackless sea from a distance of 800 to 1,000 miles. 

 Perhaps we should notice that these terns that 

 returned so successfully were nesting terns. They 

 went home to their nests, that is to say, to activities 

 in which their life reaches its highest level. They 

 were moved evidently by some deep impulse which 

 would not be thwarted by any waste of seas. 



161 



