94 WILD WINGS 



ingly adapted by nature for stentorian vocal efforts, are prac- 

 tically mutes ; the Noddies, also, seem to have no note other 

 than a weak little croak. But the Sooties make up for all 

 other lacks with their clarion calls. Even when wholly undis- 

 turbed, their natural nervousness makes it impossible for 

 them to be quiet. The great host is continually engaged in 

 some alarm. By thousands they settle down to their nests or 

 upon the sand. Some individual quarrels with another, and 

 rises with an angry scream. A few neighbors do the same, 

 and then, with a furious uproar, thousands of wings are flut- 

 tering, and thousands of voices unite in a tremendous shout 

 that well-nigh shakes the key upon its coral foundations. The 

 racket, at length, seems fairly to frighten the birds them- 

 selves, and suddenly every voice is hushed in an absolute 

 stillness which seems for an instant even more startling and 

 appalling than the previous din. But this is only for an 

 instant ; again the hubbub breaks forth, if possible with 

 redoubled power. All day long this goes on, and the visitor 

 becomes accustomed to it, though he feels that he is becom- 

 ing deaf, losing the power to distinguish minor sounds. 



At dusk there is a general let-up, and most of the birds 

 settle down to rest. Yet there are always some a-wing, and 

 hardly a moment will pass without some sort of a cry. But 

 now it is only an individual voice that is heard, instead of 

 a vast chorus. As we lie under our blankets on the piazza, 

 watching the twinkling of the Loggerhead Light, the dim 

 form of a Sooty suddenly dashes past the gable, and with 

 a resounding scream it is gone, like a waning meteorite, per- 

 haps to be followed by a Noddy, with its comical little squeak 

 of a voice. But soon no sounds can longer keep us awake. 

 At daybreak the clamor begins, and we, too, are astir. The 

 skilful guide soon prepares a steaming and bountiful repast, 

 and again I am out with the camera among the birds. 



