THE PELICAN AND THE GULLS 95 
they could even fall to the sand. Two or three birds 
would catch the same fish, then engage in a noisy 
squabbling over it until one could snatch it and fly 
away. It was very exciting to watch, but it made the 
children angry too. 
“That was mean ! 11 exclaimed Ginger. 
“Seems like it , 11 agreed Uncle Ely. “And yet, I 
don't know. The pelican can catch more fish. Prob- 
ably he had been too greedy . 11 
“He shouldn't carry his fish around with him too 
long, if he wants to keep them," suggested Buck. “A 
man doesn't carry, a lot of money, you said, Uncle 
Ely, because someone might steal it. And pirates used 
to raid treasure ships." 
“Now that's an idea! Maybe the pelican was care- 
less. He must have known the gulls were pirates. 
Anyway, we have just seen a friendly, harmless old 
bird have his treasures taken away from him by a 
flock of gulls. Wasn't that interesting?" 
“Yes!" agreed both children with enthusiasm. 
“However, don't hold the idea that gulls are noth- 
ing but thieves. They are really very fine birds, good 
friends of man. The pelican can avoid them when he 
really tries. Mother Nature usually arranges those 
things properly." 
