26 LIVES AAU DIU BrOUN ee a eee ey 
difference between gulls and terns,’’ Mark explained. ‘“‘Most 
gulls pick up their food from the surface of the water; the 
terns dive for it.”’ 
They reached the point where the sand met the break- 
water and left the walk. The instructor led them along the 
shore’s edge of the sandspit just above the receeding wave 
lines, pointing out that the sand was firmer there, yet not 
wet. Tad, racing ahead, began stomping figure-eight patterns 
from the wetter part of the beach into the dry sand, stopping 
now and then to pick up a stone or examine a piece of kelp. 
There were not many stones, nor shells, on the beach. 
fi fi f 
Spotting a group of birds ahead, Mark called to Tad 
to stop and wait for them to come up. He carefully focused 
on the group, noted what they were, and handed the glass 
to Roy. 
“These are eight-power binoculars, Roy, and you may 
find them a bit heavy and hard to handle at first, but you 
will improve with practice. Try to notice the bill, eye, color 
of feet, shape of the tail, and if markings are light or dark 
and their pattern. The most numerous are Sanderlings. They 
are small, with light breast, black bill, and markings on 
wings and back. They like to move in and out with each 
wave as it comes and then recedes, picking crustaceans out of 
the wet sand.” 
“I see those little ones,’ said Tad. ““They move on their 
feet like twinkle toes. I’d like to run so I can get closer to 
them. 
“Wait a minute. Give Roy a chance to check the whole 
group and then you can run. Putting them to flight will 
show the wing pattern. That is often helpful in identifica- 
tion. Those larger birds are Willets. When they fly you will 
see a fine flashing pattern of black and white.”’ 
Your call, “Whit, whit, Godwit!’’ 
Is that a scold, or are you glad 
As down the beach you flit? 
