214 BESIDE THE GREAT SALT LAKE. 



us ; their dignified walk ; their expression of dis- 

 approval, lifting the wings high above the back 

 till they met ; their queer and constant cries in 

 the tone of a child who whines ; and, above all, 

 their use of the wonderful wings, " half wing, 

 half wave," Mrs. Spofford calls them. 



To rise from the earth upon these beautiful 

 great arms, seemed to be not so easy as it looks. 

 Some of the graceful birds lifted them, and ran 

 a little before leaving the ground, and all of 

 them left both legs hanging, and both feet jerk- 

 ing awkwardly at every wing-beat, for a few mo- 

 ments on starting, before they carefully drew 

 each flesh-colored foot up into its feather pillow, 



" And gray and silver up the dome 



Of gray and silver skies went sailing," 



in ever - widening circles, without moving a 

 feather that we could perceive. It was charm- 

 ing to see how nicely they folded down their 

 splendid wings on alighting, stretching each one 

 out, and apparently straightening every feather 

 before laying it into its place. 



Several hours this interesting flock accom- 

 panied the horses and man around the field, tak- 

 ing possession of each furrow as it was laid open, 

 and chattering and eating as fast as they could ; 

 and the question occurred to me, if a field that is 

 thoroughly gleaned over every spring furnishes 

 so great a supply of creatures hurtful to vegeta- 



