QUEER CONVEYANCES. 



79 



One or two species of birds are known to fly long distances, 

 carrying their young on their backs. 



Small birds take passage across the Mediterranean Sea on the 

 backs of large and strong ones. They could not fly so far them- 

 selves. Their strength would give out, and they would drop in the 

 water and drown. 



Along the northern shore of the sea, in autumn, these little birds 

 assemble, to wait the coming of cranes from the north, as people 

 wait for the train at a railroad station. 



With the first cold blast the cranes arrive, flock after flock. They 

 fly low, over the cultivated fields. They utter a peculiar cry, as 



of warning, or calling. It answei's the same purpose as the ringing 

 of the bell when the train is about to start. 



The small birds understand it so. They get excited. They has- 

 ten aboard, scrambling for places. The first to come get the best 

 seats. If the passengers are too many, some will have to flit back 

 to the hedges till the next train. How they chatter good-byes, — 

 those who go and those who stay ! 



