240 WOUNDED PICKIETAR RESCUED. CHAP. xn. 



to have it in my possession, being nofrvery far from 

 the water's edge. 



" While matters were in this position, I beheld to 

 my utter astonishment and surprise, two of the un- 

 wounded Terns take hold of their disabled comrade, 

 one at each wing, lift him out of the water, and bear 

 him out seawards. They were followed by two other 

 birds. After being carried about six or seven yards, 

 he was let gently down again, when he was taken 

 up in a similar manner by the two who had been 

 hitherto inactive. In this way they continued to 

 carry him alternately, until they had conveyed him 

 to a rock at a considerable distance, upon which they 

 landed him in safety. Having recovered my self- 

 possession, I made toward the rock, wishing to 

 obtain the prize which had been so unceremoniously 

 snatched from my grasp. I was observed, however, by 

 the Terns ; and instead of four, I had in a short time 

 a whole swarm about me. On my near approach to 

 the rock, I once more beheld two of them take hold 

 of the wounded bird as they had done already, and 

 bear him out to sea in triumph, far beyond my 

 reach. This, had I been so inclined, I could no doubt 

 have prevented. Under the circumstances, how- 

 ever, my feelings would not permit me ; and I will- 

 ingly allowed them to perform without molestation 

 an act of mercy, and to exhibit an instance of affec- 

 tion, which man himself need not be ashamed to 

 imitate. I was, indeed, rejoiced at the disappoint- 



