The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-06-20
BIRDS OF THE SEA.
FEATHERED FISHERMEN OF
THE ATLANTIC COAST.
The Cormorant Waiting Patiently
for Its Prey-The Sea Gull,
Plovers, Surf Snipe
and Curlews.

IOr ltS frey-Iue SEQ "uA''
Plovers, Surf Snipe
and Curlews.
All along our rough Atlantic sea-coast,
with its miles of rugged rocks and
stretches of yellow sands, there are many
wild sea-fowl which remain with us the
entire year, or change with each chang
ing season, going north to the arctic
latitudes for the summer, or retiring to
the inland moors during the cold months
of winter. In the spring and autumn of
the year they are moving about in scat
tered colonies from the cuast of Florida
to Maine, preparing to make their an
nual migration to some other regions, or
busy in selecting some good feeding
ground or home for themselves and their
young. The great bays along the coast,
separated from the ocean only by narrow
strips of beach, make the best feeding
ground for these birds Of the sea, and in
all of them they congregate in colonies
varying from dozen or two to several
thousands. ...
On the broken mast of some ill-fated
vessel q huge cormorant stands for hours,
patiently waiting for its prey to appear
close to the surface of the water. Ut a
sudden it dives into the liquid deep,
pursuing its victim long distances under
the water, and returning to the surface
again only when completely exhausted,
with its feathers so drenched that it is
unable to fly. When it has reached come
favorite standing place, on an old buoy
or point of rock, it spreads its huge
wings wide apart, and remains for hours
thus perched, until the sun has dried its
feathers, looking for all the world like
some sable giant of the air. The
maneuvres of these birds when attacked
by the sportsman are unique and puzzling
to the amateur. The whole flock drops
into the sea when the first bird is shot,
and unless boat is quickly rowed out
to the place the flock will escape by
swimming away beyond the reach OF gum
shot.
The common gull has of late years
been slaughtered in great numbers IN
the Great South Bay and Chesapeake,
owing to the general demand for the
dove-like plumage of the birds for mil
linery purposes. In former years they
congregated in these bays in such large
numbers that schools of fish that would
have otherwise entered the bay were
driven out to sea again. In this respect
the destruction, of the gulls was not to
be so sadly deplored, for they are not an
edible bird, nor are their harsh cries at
all musical. The kittiwake is probably
fully as common gull as the bird which
passes under that name, and it is often
killed for its flesh, which, though not
very palatable, is considered in many
places to be good tonic. One sup
posed-to-be invalid came down on Long
island to find health and strength num-
ber of years ago, and hearing that the
kittiwake was celebrated as tonic, he
bought six of them and ate them to
sharpen his appetite for dinner. After
ward he complained that he was no
more hungry than when he began.
The spring of the year is the best
time to see the sea-fowl in the bays,
especially where the shore is low, and
each sand bar protrudes a foot or SO
above the surface of the water at low
tide. Then it is that the birds sit all
along the edge of the water, in rows or
flocks and patiently fish. It is . sight
that the sojourners at the seashore dur
ing fhe summertime enjoy, to watch
the fowl at work. The gulls no longer
skim over the water with majestic fight,
but they run about on the sand bars,
picking up the fishes that the retreating
tide has stranded, or dive from some
headland into the shallow water. On a
neighboring mussel bank, just made
bare by the water, a flock of oyster.
catchers are turning over the shells, and
silently eating their dinner. A flock of
bright-ringed plovers suddenly appear
upon the scene, and run along the edge
Of the sand bars so fast that their dainty
little legs can scarcely be seen. On the
ocean side of the beach flock of surf
snipe fly back and forth for time, as if
unable to select feeding-ground. Then,
having decided upon place, they sud-
denly settle down, and scatter far aud
wide over the sands, venturing far out
toward the incoming waves, and run
Mug rapidly up on the beach as the
waves roll up. Then, as the waters. re-
treat, they follow them, picking up any
small fish that may be caught in the ed
dying tide.
A small troop of curlews are found
here and there along the coast, and they
usually take the first alarm when danger
approaches. They sound the alarm at
once, and instantly the plovers and dun
lins will be seen hurrying together,
ready to rise in a flock. The oyster
catcicrs cease their labors, and raise
their heads in listening attitudes. All
is still after the first alarm of the curlews
is given, but should it be repeated,
snipe, dunlins, plovers and gulls will
suddenly rise on the wing, uttering
plalntive cries, and gradually separating
into different parties.
Owing to the watchfulness OF these
birds the gunners have but poor show
of creeping up and getting many good
shots at them, and so, after selecting q
good ground, they set out their stools,
and hide themselves in the neighboring
Grass or hills. This is about the only
way that the snipe can be enticed within
easy gun,range, although occasionally,
by initiating their whistle. q flock can
be induced to fly over the head: But
this requires great experience and great
carefulness.- -Harper's Weekly.
Sonth American Mosquitoes.
One of the pests of life in South