Aided by the Storm

Horowhenua Chronicle, 31 July 1911, Page 4

Aided by the Storm

"Hird.s of ;>li. kinds are an itib'icsiin l; study," says a naturalist. ".V'cvertheless. I lind a special attraction in observing t!)o wji.vs of sea birds. The spaed at which they fly, especially when aided by the wind, is almost incredible. So moid is their pace sometimes < 1 ;:11 they are unable to cheek themselves when approaching obstacles., and hundreds are killed hv flying against rocks. sand-bars, ami even by striking the sea when <lisJti after iish. It is a remarkable sight to watch a iiowerful sea-bird flying in a .stanji. It will tack av.d manoeuvre to flv a.t tho hrst- possible advantage. If it is not strong enough to breast the sale, it will take tho wind on the s-idc. and fly with it at a rate which the eye can sea reply follow. Sometimes it will progress in lonic curves, sometimes it will shnot up and down, 'but all the while it is doubtless proceeding on strict lines of aeriaj navigation, Some birds flv hrst against a moderate wind, and will never bogin a ,journey till they have a 'head wind.' Amongst these birds are srull teal, ducks aml crows, which often flv q'uicker against a. wind >lhnn with it. 'Hie weaker-winged se;abu'ds fare worst in a. storm. Ere(lueiitlv they are before th.oy ca.il rca.-h shelter, ami are simply blown for miles. Tins will account for th-a occasional appearance nf hin"U in districts where ordinarily tliey arc 1111, known.