3082 Birds. 



might ascertain the cause of the alarm. After surveying their wounded 

 brother round and round, as he was drifting unwittingly toward the 

 shore with the flowing tide, they came flying in a body to the spot 

 where I stood, and rent the air with their deafening screams. These 

 they continued to utter, regardless of danger and of their own indivi- 

 dual safety, until I began to make preparations for receiving the 

 approaching bird. I could already see that it was a beautiful adult 

 specimen ; and I expected in a few moments to have it in my posses- 

 sion, as it was now not far from the water's edge. While matters were 

 in this position, I beheld to my utter astonishment and surprise, two 

 of the unwounded terns take hold of their disabled comrade, one at 

 each wing, lift him out of the water, and bear him out to sea : they 

 were followed by the other two. After being carried about six or 

 seven yards, he was let gently down again, when he was taken hold 

 of in a similar manner by the two who had been hitherto inactive. In 

 this way they continued to carry him alternately, until they had con- 

 veyed him to a rock at a considerable distance, upon which they 

 landed him in safety. Having recovered my senses I made toward 

 the rock, wishing to obtain the prize which had been so unceremoni- 

 ously snatched almost from my very grasp. I was observed, however, 

 by the terns ; and instead of four I had in a short time a whole swarm 

 about me. On my near approach to the rock, I once more beheld two 

 of them take hold of the wounded bird as they had done already, and 

 bear him out to sea in triumph, and far beyond my reach. This, had 

 I been so inclined, I could no doubt have prevented. In the circum- 

 stances, however, my feelings would not permit me ; and I willingly 

 allowed them to perform without molestation an act of mercy, and to 

 exhibit an instance of affection, which man himself might not be 

 ashamed to copy. 1 was, indeed, rejoiced at the disappointment 

 which they had occasioned, for they had thereby rendered me witness 

 to a scene which I could not have previously imagined, and which no 

 length of time will efface from my recollection." 



James Smith. 



Manse of Monquhitter by Turriff, Aberdeenshire, 

 March 6, 1851. 



