52 BIRDS 



The water in the little pools over the islands is one mass 

 of bubbling gasses that abound in sulphurated hydrogen, 

 as distinguished by the sense of smell. 



Owing to the depth of the water we had to anchor 

 the boat a half-mile from the shore off the island and 

 use a rowboat to land us. 



As we approached the low, shell-strewn shore line, 

 the gulls began rising, first in pairs, then in scores, hun- 

 dreds and thousands, all the while with screaming laugh- 

 ter circling about our heads and threatening to do us 

 bodily injury. They would form in great flying squad- 

 rons and after turning and revolving close over us a 

 number of times return to the island and drop down 

 in the little open brackish pools or in the grass, their 

 black heads and white necks and breasts forming con- 

 spicuous objects as they stood motionless, viewing our 

 approach. 



When I landed and began my search for nests the 

 throng again took wing and continued the screaming 

 until I moved to another section of the island. Those 

 first disturbed then dropped back to their nests, while 

 those under my feet were constantly rising, only to 

 return as soon as I passed on. Many of the birds did 

 not appear at all frightened at my presence. 



The men who were assisting me had been in the 

 terrible tidal wave of 1916, and again in 1919, and had 

 been compelled to wade, swim and battle with the awful 

 death-dealing salt-water demon for hours to save their 

 lives. Their homes and all other property were de- 

 stroyed. They are naturally uneasy, therefore, when 

 storms threaten, and their restlessness does not add to 

 the feeling of safety of a newcomer, or tenderfoot, when 

 a few thunderheads arise on the northeastern horizon. 



We had anchored the boat on the northeastern shore 

 of the island, in plain view. After working all day pic- 

 turing and taking field notes, I was surprised, on re- 

 turning to the spot where the boat had been left, to find 

 that it was nowhere to be seen. It was just at dark, and 

 I was hungry and very thirsty, and for a few minutes 

 a little alarmed; however, I soon discerned it on the 

 opposite side of the island, where the boatman had re- 

 moved it for protection, in case of storm. We rowed 

 out to the boat, had supper and then retired for the night. 



