214 



THE NATATOEES. 



end of spring, when the returning warmth gives an increase of 

 aniniation to the wandering tribes of the winged inhabitants of 

 the ocean air ; but the Loon makes comparatiyely little use of his 

 wings, and his great bulk and robust frame would be ill adapted 

 for the hovering flight of the Gulls and Petrels. There he conies, 

 followed by his mate, advancing with marvellous speed. They 

 have rounded the point, and now stop for a moment to cast a 

 searching glance along the shore, lest an enemy should be lui'king 

 there. Forward they start — the smooth water rippling gently 

 against their sides. Small effort they seem to make, and yet 

 powerful must be the stroke of the oars which impel masses so 

 large at so rapid a rate. Now and again they dip their bills into 

 the water ; then the head and neck. One glides gently under the 



(CV:/,„/,i,s g/uc, 



surface, without plunge or flutter, and in a few seconds it appears 

 with a fish in his bill, which, with upstretched head and neck, it 

 swallows. The other having also dived, appears with a fish, larger, 

 and less easily managed. She beats it about in her bill, plashino- 

 the water, and seems unable to adapt it to the capacity of her 

 gullet ; but at length, after much striving, she masters it, and 

 continues her search. Backwards and forwards, over the clear 

 sand of the shallow bay, they glide in their quiet way, and now 

 they have botli dived with their heads towards us. One rises close 

 to the sea- weed, and so near to us, that we might almost count the 

 spots on his back. The other, in emerging, has perceived lis, and 

 somehow communicates the discovery to her mate. Thev swim 

 about for a short while with erected necks, then sink into the 



