BIRD KEY 89 



grounded on a mud flat three hundred yards from the key. 

 The excitement of being near a great rookery, the sight 

 of so many birds, together with the cries and odors which 

 were borne to us by the wind, will long linger in my 

 memory. 



Soon after it became light enough for us to distinguish 

 objects clearly on the island, the man-of-wars, which used 

 the entire wooded portion as a roosting resort, began to 

 rise from the trees. How they could sleep amid all the 

 noises of the rookery I could never imagine. Slowly they 

 arose on their powerful wings, swinging around in ever 

 increasing circles until they reached an altitude of many 

 hundred feet. It was a magnificent sight to behold this 

 top-shaped figure, composed of a great company of birds 

 which must have numbered ten thousand strong. From 

 the upper end of the throng, where the air was clear and 

 pure, the birds headed in a long line, singly and in small 

 companies, straight for the open gulf. By eight o'clock 

 only two or three still lingered in view. The great fleet of 

 privateers had put to sea. 



THOUGHT QUESTIONS 



Did you ever see a colony of birds roosting or nesting together? In the 

 fall and winter make inquiries for crow roosts in the country. Did you 

 ever see a pelican ? If not, look at the picture of one and tell whether you 

 think or.e could best walk or swim. Can all birds swim ? Can a hen swim ? 

 How many sea birds can you name? 



