, 1877-07-27
Bird Story by Thomas Edward.

In the many long years that Thomas
Edward spent in intimate fellowship with
animate nature, he was a witness of man
fold curious incidents happening in the
history of birds and beasts, which be mar
rates in a spirited and picturesque man
ner. Among such anecdotes which Mr.
Smiles has introduced into Edwards BIZ
ocraphy, one of the most interesting is
that illustrating the surprising degree of
feeling which the tern is capable of en-
tertaining. Edward was, one afternoon
in August, watching the evolutions of a
flock of these birds, which were engaged
in fishing in the Fryth of Boyndie. He
was seeking an opportunity to bag one
of the beautiful creatures, when, as if in
answer to his desire, a noble specimen
directed its course to the shore, fishing all
the way as it came. In the midst of a
vivid description of the habits Of the bird
in pursuit of its prey, Edward relates
"Once more he scars alott on lively
wing, and, having attained certain ele-
vation, and lowering, kestral-lke, for a
little, with quick, repeated strokes of his
pinious he rapidly descends. Again,
however, his hoped-for victim has made
its escape; and he bounds away in an
oblique direction, describing beautiful
curve as he rises without touching the
water. Shortly after be wings his way
nearer and nearer to the beach; onward
he advances with zigzag flight, when sud
denly, as if struck down with an unseen
hand, he drops into the water within
about thirty yards of the place where
am standing. As he righted and sat on
the bosom of the deep, was enabled dis
tinctly to perceive that he held in his bill
a little scaly captive, which he had
snatched from its home, which struggled
violently to regain its liberty. Its strug-
giles we're in vain; few squeezes from the
mandibles of the bird put an end to its
existence.
"Being now within my reach, stood
prepared for the moment when he should
again rise. This he did as soon as the
fish was despatched. fred and he came
down with = broken wing, screaming as
he fell into the water. The report of the
gun, together with his cries, brought to-
gether the party he had left, that they
might ascertain the cause of the alarm.
After surveying their wounded brother
round and round, as he was drifting un-
willingly toward the shore with the dow
ing tide, they came flying in body to
the spot where stood, and rent the air
with their screams. These they contin-
ued to utter, regardless of their individual
safety, until l began to make prepara-
tions for receiving the approaching bird.
l could already see that it was beautiful
specimen; and expected in few mo-
ments to have it in my possession, being
not very far from the waters edge.
awhile matters were in this position,
beheld, to my utter astonishment and sur
prise, two of the unwounded terms take
hold of their disabled comrade, one at
each wing, lift him out of the water, and
bear him out seaward. They were fol-
lowed by two other birds. After being
carried six or seven yards, he was let
gently down again, when he was taken
up in a similar manner by the two who
had been hitherto inactive. In this way
they continued to carry him alternately,
until they had conveyed him to a rock at
q considerable distance, upon which they
landed him safely. Having recovered my
self-possession, made toward the rock,
wishing to obtain the prize which had
been so unceremoniously snatched from
my grasp. was observed, however, by
the terms, aud, instead of four, had in
3 short time whole swarm about me.
On my near approach to the rock, l once
more beheld two Of them take hold of
the wounded bird as they had done al.
ready, and bear him out to sea in triumph,
far beyond my reach. This, had been
80 inclined, could no doubt have pre-
vented. Under the circumstances, how
ever, my feelings would not permit me;
and willingly allowed them to perform
without molestation an act of mercy, and
to exhibit an instance of affection which
man himself need not be ashamed to i'm
itate. was, indeed, rejoiced at the dis
appointment which they had occasioned,
for they had thereby rendered me the wit
ness Of scene which l could scarcely
have believed, and which no length of
time will efiace from my recollection"