42 ON THE REACH AT DAYTON A. 



and down the beach, I could usually see 

 somewhere in the distance a carriage or two, 

 and as many foot passengers ; but I often 

 walked a mile, or sat for half an hour, with- 

 out being within hail of any one. Never 

 were airs more gentle or colors more exqui- 

 site. 



As for birds, they were surprisingly 

 scarce, but never wanting altogether. If 

 everything else failed, a few fish-hawks 

 were sure to be in sight. I watched them 

 at first with eager interest. Up and down 

 the beach they went, each by himself, with 

 heads pointed downward, scanning the shal- 

 low water. Often they stopped in their 

 course, and by means of laborious flappings 

 held themselves poised over a certain spot. 

 Then, perhaps, they set their wings and shot 

 downward clean under water. If the plunge 

 was unsuccessful, they shook their feathers 

 dry and were ready to begin again. They 

 had the fisherman's gift. The second, and 

 even the third attempt might fail, but no 

 matter; it was simply a question of time 

 and patience. If the fish was caught, their 

 first concern seemed to be to shift their hold 

 upon it, till its head pointed to the front. 



