THE SEA-BIRDS. 145 



Lesson, is full of shell-fish, which remain nearly dry at low 

 water in small pools. The skimmer keeps waiting close by 

 until one of them opens its shell, when he immediately intro- 

 duces his wedge. He then seizes the mussel, beats it to pieces 

 upon the sand, and devours it with all the pleasure of an epicure 

 eating an oyster. He is also very active in sweeping the surface of 

 the water, from which he skims, as it were, the smaller fish or 

 shrimps. Thus, on all flat sandy shores nothing exists, either 

 soft or hard, creeping or swimming, jumping or running, that 

 does not find among the strand-birds its peculiar and admirably 

 armed enemy, or that can boast of a perfect immunity from 

 hostile attacks. 



If we examine the real sea-birds, such as are formed for 

 indefatigable swimming or diving, or for wide flights over the 

 deserts of ocean, we shall find them no less wonderfully or- 

 ganised than the winged dwellers on the strand. Their short 

 compressed toes easily cleave the waters, and by means of their 

 membranes or webs form, as it were, broad oars. Their muscular 



Speckled Diver, 



short legs, placed more behind than in other birds, are beauti- 

 fully adapted for rowing, although their movements on land 

 are awkward and slow. All creatures living on the sea of course 

 require a thick waterproof mantle against weather and storm ; 

 and consequently we find the plumage of sea birds thicker, 

 closer, and better furnished with down than that of the other 

 feathered tribes. And finally, the gland which all birds have at 

 the rump, and from which they express an oily matter to 

 preserve their feathers moist, is most considerable among those 

 that live upon the water, and contributes to make their plumage 



