The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-23
THE PETRELS NESTING TINE.
Mother Carcy's Chickens I'm Their Home I'm
the South Atlantic.

sublime deeps of the South Atlantic a lonely
summit Of the stupendous mountain which
stretches away down into the everlasting
stiffness and gloom of oceans profoundest
secrecies. Its sides are sullen prccpices.
hardly tenantable by the cliff-loving sea-
birds. yet between those frowning walls,
where c0smic forces have riven them, may
be seen tiny beaches, miniature Ravens into
which the enormous pillows never penetrate,
but which are too small for even a seal to
use And. peering with keen eyes into these
crannies. one may discern. tunneing into
the face OF the friable rock. little galleries.
easily marked by the white at their black
openings.
In front OF one OF these stood on a day
two little birds OF an elegance and delcacy
out OF all keeping with their surroundings.
Hardly as large as thrush. but sturdier in
body. their plumage was dark glossy brown
with heads like balls of black velvet, a splash
OF white on the rump. square tails and slender
legs like stiffened strands of black silk. The
delicate webs Of their feet were scarcely
larger in area than a shilling and marked
with little splash of yellow In the centre
They we're the fairies Of the deep sea. beloved
OF all mariners. and called indifferently
Mother Carey's chickens or stormy petrels.
That mysterious impulse governing the
from their worldwide. restless wandering
TO this strange. lonely spot. on family cares
intent, for 1t was February, the Southern
autumn. and the petrels' nesting time
So they stood side by side before their long
disused dwelling. while the furious western
gale Numbered past the island, and all other
sounds were blended in one majestic. ee-
mental chorus. The air was full of salt
spray, but wind there was none where they
stood. for the tempest. hurting itself against
that narrow cleft, made buffer of air through
which no stress Of storm could pass
But as If entirely Indifferent to the celestial
war. as indeed they We're. the pretty little
birds finished their toilet. and. crouChing,
entered their tiny tunnel. cosiest of hooks,
after their long wandering. There was no
nest-building to do; all was ready; and pres
entity the male bird shot out from the gallery.
and. like a CLEAN. passed through the rift
in the cliffs to the heart of the storm O
wonderful Nature! here that wee creature
was at home.
Amid the thunderous rage OF torinented
seas he fitted so easeful. so secure. HIS
bright eyes never blinked as they ranged
everywhere In quest of food and continuity
he stretched one slender leg and then another
TO touch the fretted surface over which he
sped.
Never yet was observer keen enough to
notice the feeding of the tiny petrol in gale.
but. suddenly rising a little, he made one
curious movement with his tail and was gone.
through the portals of the mountain, to his
waiting mate
SO for three days he toiled TO SUNNY bor
needs and his own by day. and by night close
nesting by her side in the cosy dark ex-
changed twitterings of truest fellowship
Then came the anxious time of incubation
in which he took full share, sitting closely,
upon the whitish egg while his mate took
her may way among the pillows and around
that rugged peak. Never was partnership
more perfect. equality of toll, of hope, of
love. more equitably established
And then. amid excitement so intense that
the two tiny creatures seemed temporarily
frantic. brown puff ball with bcady eyes
and wide-gaping beak made Its appearance.
Pretty it was TO see the assiduity with which
each parent, forgetting distinction of sex.
took turn about in the family cares, or how
swift was the transition from the darksorne
quiet of the little home, where the crash of
to a deep hum that vibrated through the
bowels of the earth to the crashing shrieking.
roaring conflict OF storm and deep three yards
away.
The fiedgling grew apace. and its sturdy
wings developed rapidly. Father and mother
con xed and performed assiduously in the mar
III
ever noticing how each lesson brought the
learner a step forward. till one bright dny
with n low cry OF delight the father bird.
closely followed by his pupil. shot out between
the cllfs into the Wilderness beyond, and in "A
very ecstasy Of rejoicing powers flashed from
one breaker to another, followed closely az
his shadow by his son
suddenly. IA n climax to his JOY, the male
bird saw his glossy mate shoot sciward also,
the fruition Of their long vigil attained. They
were perfectly happy Back and forth they
n sd hut
the waters were swarming with tiny medusip,
squid, and all the minor sea folk upon whom
rarely visible to. man. except TO one whose
restless desire for knowledge OF the sen
people makes him wait and watch ms closely
AS he who digs for gold And Just as the
behind the western sea rim the little family |
with one accord wheeled swiftly shoreward |
and as unerringly as If fired from gun by A !
good marksmnn shot between the rlven rocks !
INTO their quiet burrow.
swiftly flew the days as the yOungling grew |
md waved strong. longer and longer we're the
pillows. no longer in imitation but in emula- |
ton OF it's parents. until one stormy day the |
.ath her petrol swooIped for tafty sauid. only
by his son. Further proof OF the self-sus- |
tanning powers of the newcomer WIS I'M |
necessary, and five minutes later the faithful |
pair, their temporary attachment to the |
shore over. were speeding northward with |
many n may whirl and loving dnliance !
WIN the spray, as ii III Sn'eT eNuDrrhnCp OF |
physical powers marvellous to behold in such |
ny birds
The next day saw them where they fain |
would be- in closest companionship with a |
grand sailing vessel speeding homeward /
with all her mighty wings spread abroad !
% the busting breeze Like attendant fays
hey lowered about her. now in her wake |
now with easy grace and no apparent effort |
gliding right ahead as she rushed along and |
now poised ms n butterfly over Il flower, in |
he very turmoil and seethe Of the spray |
round her rudder. At night, when only |
he murmur of the parted waves broke the !
)lisstul silence Of the southeast trades, n |
mick ear might hear the gentle little call |
)f bird to bird. u keen eye might see in the
iArkneSs alongside the tluttering passa ue
VI these weariless companions.
Then n thouRhtless young officer without
one Sunday afternoon fastened
piece OF fat to "A tshing-line and made n
bread of newly tarred Irvine fast to TINT
le trail"d IL astern. and one of the confidinR
birds Immediately descended. only to find |
Is little legs entanged and itself drawn on
leCk
Fortunately. Just then the master came and
aw. Taking the young man by the arm
IS he held the fiuttering captive for examina-
he bereaved mate In an agony Of loss wns
making frantic dashes ut the steel side of
he ship,
Let that bird CO. sir. said the master
ternly. and never let me see you modest
etrel again.
Released. tho pretty creature fed. closely
ollowed by its rejoicing partner: and none
I the crew saw either Of their little friends
ID. Il.