Sea Swallows 



feather, running to a point ; again, it is in the 

 form of two separated parallel lines ; when still 

 more spread it is distinctly forked, like the 

 barn swallow's ; and when they hover for 

 several seconds over a spot, the tail is spread 

 to its full width, and becomes triangular. 

 Graceful and easy on the wing, rather than 

 majestic, like the heron — except for the occa- 

 sional grotesque effect of scratching the head 

 with one claw while flying, which is done so 

 daintily that it only looks exquisitely vulgar — 

 elegant in figure, as seen in repose when scat- 

 tered on the rocks, their most beautiful appear- 

 ance, after all, is undoubtedly at the moment 

 of alighting; when, instead of immediately 

 closing their long wings, they suddenly raise 

 them high in the air, and almost touch back to 

 back, like a butterfly, holding them thus for an 

 instant, and then slowly closing them. This is 

 the most striking and buoyant attitude in which 

 to mount a stuffed specimen, but I have never 

 seen it attempted. It seems as if their very 

 nature spurned the earth the moment that 

 they touched it. The lightness, grace and gen- 

 tleness of their character flash out in this mo- 

 mentary act. 



It is impossible to avoid finding their nests, 



129 



