chick-a-dee’s story. 
173 
their way of feeding their young, that first 
called my attention to this important fact.” 
Oh, some of the young Terns were hatched 
then ! ” exclaimed one of his listeners. 
Yes,” replied Chick, a few of them were ; 
and they sat on the sand, looking like bunches 
of downy cotton, patiently awaiting their par- 
ents’ return with food, and it was an interest- 
ing sight, I assure you ; the Terns would fly 
over the water, at the height of these cedars 
perhaps, watching the small fishes swimming 
beneath. As soon as one came near the sur- 
face, down pounced the bird upon it, and 
rarely indeed did it miss its aim ; then, taking 
the little fish to the island, the Tern dropped 
it into the mouth of its young, as she flew 
over it. Yes : there are many things we birds, 
who live in the woods, know nothing of.” 
Even the naturalists, who discuss the 
strength of water, don’t know all,” remarked 
Crossbill, with a grim smile of irony. But 
it is getting into the forenoon, and, if I expect 
to reach my friends, I must leave you.” 
Stop a moment,” exclaimed Chick ; I 
