366 Cape Pigeons and Whale Birds 



a large squid squirming in the lethal hook of his beak. 

 Almost instantaneously he got his bearings, and like I 

 an arrow from a bow, with drooping wings, but driven 

 by the full force of the gale he sped shoreward, round 

 the rock, and settled quietly by the side of his patient 

 mate. She gently opened her mouth, and into it 

 he dropped his prize. 



And thus in the midst of storm and stress the tiny "'■. 

 pair took their annual vacation from sea-wandering, 

 and the stout-hearted little husband his delight in 

 ministering to the wants of his dear partner, at present I 

 incapacitated from bearing her part in the ordinary 

 business of daily life. He was supremely happy, 

 for who can doubt that, at times like these, even what 

 we are pleased to call the lower animals realise fully 

 that it is more blessed to give than to receive ? And 

 she was happy too ; for clasped closely to her soft, 

 warm bosom were four precious treasures, smooth, 

 rounded morsels of herself, upon which she gazed with 

 eyes humid with love, as she turned them so that the 

 sand beneath, though warmed somewhat by the over- 

 flowing heat of her maternal breast, should not chill ■ 

 them and frustrate her fond hopes. The quiet hours 

 sped on, marked now and then by a heavenly day 

 of tender blue above and placid sea beneath, teeming 

 with easily won food. But whether fair or foul, 

 the sweet marital solicitude of the cheery hiisband 

 never failed, any more than the motherly patience of 

 the little mother. 



And then came the climax of joy, when four odd 

 little balls of down with wide-gaping throats suddenly 

 appeared, and demanded with one querulous voice, 

 * Food, food, food.' Indeed, the father, now somewhat 

 doubtful of the magnitude of his task, had all his 

 work to do, and do as he would he could not quiet 



