54 



TWO ATLANTIC COAST ISLANDS 



whistle of the parent, they squat flat in the nest and hold 

 their position, possibly for hours, until the old bird is reas- 

 sured and permits them to raise their heads, when they are 

 often surprisingly alert and active. Unlike young Terns, 

 Gulls or Skimmers, they make no move when touched, doubt- 

 less because they have no means of escape. They therefore 

 not only look but act like dead birds. One can turn them on 

 their backs or place them in any position, putty-like they 

 will remain, their only movement being a rare wink of the 



" Three apparently adult Fish Hawks . . . within a foot 

 of my face " 



half -closed but staring yellow-brown eye. Young which are 

 about to fly, however, especially if they be in a tree nest, will 

 sometimes abandon the crouching position for one of de- 

 fense. I recall with amusement my surprise when, on climb- 

 ing to a nest which, from below, appeared to be empty, three 

 apparently adult Fish Hawks, in menacing pose, suddenly 

 materialized within a foot of my face. 



The beach nests are exceptionally well situated for the 

 purpose of bird photography, and these nests have furn- 



