Along Shining Shores 87 



First they come in little bunches of two 

 and three, when we take one with each bar- 

 rel ; then the big flocks begin to streak along 

 the magnificent surf and decoy like chickens. 



They require no calling. The moment 

 they see our decoys they set their wings in all 

 sorts of fancy shapes and sweep into the 

 happy hunting-ground to share the mussels 

 with our fat wooden birds, whose round 

 shapes no doubt excite their hunger and 

 envy. 



Some set their wings in a beautiful bow- 

 shaped curve, some drop them gracefully 

 downward, some swing them gracefully up- 

 ward and drop their legs as they descend. 



Sometimes the sky is black with them, 

 their wings set at every conceivable angle. 

 Then it was impossible to choose a good shot 

 in the confusion of a hundred challenging 

 groups. We generally take the poorest 

 chance on such occasions, and perhaps get 

 one bird out of five hundred. 



