THE DAY FLYERS 



Some years later, in March, in the same part 

 of Mexico, I saw a flock of several thousand 

 White Pelicans migrating northward. These 

 great birds measure eight feet from tip to tip 

 of their outstretched wings. Like the Hawks, 

 their flight was not in a direct line, but in a series 

 of intertwining loops. The sun shone on their 

 snowy plumage, and against the background of 

 blue mountains they made a sight of great 

 beauty. They were as dazzling white as snow- 

 flakes in a squall, but unlike snowflakes their 

 motions were as stately and dignified as those of 

 dancers in a minuet. So, sweeping gracefully 

 around each other, they, too, were quickly lost 

 to view. 



Why birds should travel in this manner in- 

 stead of "as the Crow flies," I cannot say. It 

 must at least double the distance they cover. We 

 cannot believe they keep rounding up the flock 

 to prevent any stragglers from being lost, for we 

 have found in what scattered companies Hawks, 

 perhaps of the same kind as those seen in Mexico, 

 travel in the fall. Possibly these spring flights 

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