1 78 WILD WINGS 



In this way the little black imps strike one as comical, quaint, 

 almost pompous. Especially when they make love, it is worth 

 a great deal to watch a couple facing each other, sidling 

 about, the male probably it is going through a series of 

 dignified bowings and attempted caresses, until one might 

 well laugh aloud and frighten the performers. 



BLACK GUILLEMOTS. " CURIOSITY SEEMS TO BE ONE OF THEIR MOST 

 STRIKING CHARACTERISTICS " 



Curiosity seems to be one of their most striking character- 

 istics. Naturally rather timid, they will usually fly before one 

 can walk up boldly very near them. But what a great differ- 

 ence it will make if one tries to sneak up behind the rocks ! 

 An occasional glimpse, though it reveals the presence of the 

 intruder, does not really alarm them. They do so wonder 

 what he is up to, what sort of a body is beneath that bobbing 

 head, perhaps what sort of shoes he wears, that they forget 

 all about flight. When very near, he can gradually and 



