Birds. 3079 



breasts, but with as little apparent success as formerly. Nothing 

 daunted, however, they ran round a second time to the other side, 

 and recommenced their trenching operations with a seeming determi- 

 nation not to be baffled in their object, which evidently was to under- 

 mine the dead animal before them, in order that it might be the more 

 easily overturned. While they were thus employed, and after they 

 had laboured in this manner at both sides alternately for nearly half 

 an hoar, they were joined by another of their own species, which 

 came flying with rapidity from the neighbouring rocks. Its timely ar- 

 rival was hailed with evident signs of joy. I was led to this conclu- 

 sion from the gestures which they exhibited, and from a low but 

 pleasant murmuring noise, to which they gave utterance as 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 being over, they all three fell to work ; 

 and after labouring vigorously for a few minutes in removing the sand, 

 they came round to the other side, and putting their breasts simulta- 

 neously 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 disappointment of the three. Resting, 

 however, for a space, and without leaving their respective positions, 

 which were a little apart the one from the other, they resolved, it ap- 

 pears, to give the matter another trial. Lowering themselves with 

 their breasts close to the sand, they managed to push their bills under- 

 neath the fish, which they made to rise to about the same height as 

 before. Afterwards, withdrawing their bills but without losing the ad- 

 vantage 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 continued 

 movements, that they were enjoying an ample repast as the reward of 

 their industrious and praiseworthy labour. I was so pleased, and 

 even delighted, with the sagacity and the perseverance which they 

 had shown, that I should have considered myself as guilty of a crime 

 had I endeavoured, on the occasion, to take away life from these in- 

 teresting beings, at the very moment when they were exercising, in a 

 manner so happy for themselves, the wonderful instincts implanted in 

 them by their great and ever merciful Creator. When they appeared 



