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laboriousiy, and the rails flutter for short distances 
only. None of the sea-birds clash their wings like 
the doves, The most self.commanding in its move- 
ments is the frigate-bird ; he does not seem to stir a 
feather, but motionless to float through the air.-— 
Whether he is high or low, he never changes the 
character of his movement, except to dash down- 
ward or upwards, to attack a gorged guil or a 
booby. : . 
The vulture seen at all times, frequently courses 
along the beach to pick up the putrid refuse of the 
nets, and surpasses all birds in the character and 
quality of his flight. Without being more varied 
than that of the birds previously enumerated he has 
more of port or dignified bearing. Some five or six 
together will sail through the air as if they were 
wheeling through the mazes of a cotillion. The 
following description by Washington Irving is the 
most precisely graphic picture 1 know of its action 
in flying: ‘The turkey buzzard (vuitur aura) 
when onthe wing, is one of the most specicus and 
imposing of birds. Its flight in the upper revions of 
the air, is really sublime, extending its immense 
wings, and wheeling slowly and majestically to and 
tro, seemingly without exerting a muscle or. flutier- 
ing a feather, but moving by mere volition, and sail- 
ing on the bosom of the air, as a ship upon the 
ocean. Usurping the empyreal realm of the ezgie, 
he assumes for atime the port and dignity of ibat 
majestic bird, and often is mistaken for him by igno. 
rant crawlers upon earth. It is only when he 
descends from the clouds to pounce upon carrion 
