cuap. xt.] Joined by a Brother Turn-stone. 223 
was to undermine the dead animal before them, in order 
that it might be the more easily overturned. 
“While they were thus employed, and after they had 
labored in this manner at both sides alternately for near- 
ly half an hour, they were joined by another of their own 
species, which came flying with rapidity from the neighbor- 
ing rocks. Its timely arrival was hailed with evident signs 
of joy. I was led to this conclusion from the gestures 
which they exhibited, and from a low but pleasant mur- 
muring noise to which they gave utterance so soon as the 
new-comer made his appearance. Of their feelings he 
seemed to be perfectly aware, and he made his reply to 
them in a similar strain. Their mutual congratulations be- 
ing over, they all three set to work; and after laboring 
vigorously for a few minutes in removing the sand, they 
came round to the other side, and, putting their breasts 
simultaneously to the fish, they succeeded in raising it some 
inches from the sand, but were unable to turn it over. It 
went down again into its sandy bed, to the manifest disap- 
pointment of the three. Resting, however, for a space, and 
without leaving their respective positions, which were a lit- 
tle apart the one from the other, they resolved, it appears, 
to give the work another trial. Lowering themselves, with 
their breasts close to the sand, they managed to push their 
bills underneath the fish, which they made to rise to about 
the same height as before. Afterward, withdrawing their 
bills, but without losing the advantage which they had 
gained, they applied their breasts to the object. This they 
did with such force and to such purpose that at length it 
went over and rolled several yards down a slight declivity. 
It was followed to some distance by the birds themselves, 
before they could recover their bearing. 
“They returned eagerly to the spot from whence they 
had dislodged the obstacle which had so long opposed them ; 
and they gave unmistakable proof, by their rapid and con- 
tinued movements, that they were enjoying an ample repast 
