128 Bird -Lore 



all. One of these was killed h\ having the tripod leg set down upon 

 it. Another was photographed as he rested between two rocks in the 

 water. Every wave lifted him and tossed him against the stone; but he 

 lay absolutely still, with his eye on the invader. Another crawled under 

 a shelving rock, where every wave splashed over him. He looked like a 

 hen caught in a thunder-shower, and must have been very uncomfor- 

 table; but he never budged. These birds were not quiet merely in the 

 sense of being relaxed; they were holding still, with every muscle rigid. 

 The photographer had an experience which illustrates this: One of the 

 birds floating in front of the camera was carried by the water out of 

 the field. The photographer took him by the beak and steered him 

 back into position. He did this repeatedly, and said that the bird held 

 its neck so stiff that it seemed like moving a wooden decoy. He even 

 declared that he could have picked the creature up by the bill and held 

 it out straight and stifif. As he did not try the latter experiment, it is 

 possible that the bird would have remonstrated. The muscular effort 

 involved must, of course, be very great; and one wonders how the birds 

 can maintain it for such a length of time. When finally aroused, how- 

 ever, they are like the chicks, — ver}^ active. The one held in the hand 

 to be photographed fought fiercely with his strong beak and flapped his 

 long wings vigorously until he was released, when he flew away at a 

 great rate. 



The day was warm, the heat reflected from the rocks oppressive, 

 the stinging flies troublesome — but we were all surprised and disappointed 

 when the rising of all the birds from the island announced a fresh arrival, 

 and the grating of a boat on the pebbles told us that our friends had 

 come for us. We tried a few farewell shots at some protesting chicks, 

 but succeeded in getting only blurs, indicating their hurried departure from 

 the field of action. Then we climbed into the boat and pushed of?. 

 As we looked back from a distance, the whirling, shrieking cloud sank 

 lower, and the Terns, fully reassured for the first time since our arrival 

 in the morning, went back to their homes and their little ones. 



We had chosen to watch a few birds closely rather than have a briefer 

 view of a great number. During our stay the other members of the party 

 had visited Big Chicken and Chick Island. Big Chicken has several good - 

 sized trees and a fisherman's hut. On this island were reported Terns in 

 greater numbers than on Little Chicken and very many Black Terns with 

 the others. The Black Tern is a smaller and less timid bird. It nests in 

 marshes, and its presence in flocks with the common Tern is hard to explain. 

 It is usually seen about the shores and lowlands and is said to feed entirely 

 on the insects which abound in such places. We had often noticed them 

 flying with the Common Tern over the water, but were surprised to find 

 them here in mid -lake in such numbers. 



