Beautiful Birds of the Sea-shore

Forest and Bird, Issue 55, 1 February 1940, Page 16

Beautiful Birds of the Sea-shore

By Flora Patie

Children's Page . . .

“If you were to travel right round the coast of New Zealand, you would see many birds that live on the sea-shore,” said cousin Jim. “This morning I am going to show you those that visit our own beach.”

Mary and Peter, who were enjoying term holidays at Jim’s home, were delighted to go with him down to the bay. The tide was far out when they arrived, and on the edge of the waves, beyond the wide stretch of sand, the little black-billed gulls were fishing for their breakfast. Jim and the children waded into the water close to the gulls. “The lovely birds!” exclaimed Mary. “I thought they were pure white when I first saw them, Jim, but they have light-grey wings, tipped with black.” “Oh, look!” cried Peter; “they’ve caught something.” The gulls rose screaming into the air, all trying to get a share of the dainty morsel. Then they settled down again to wait patiently for the gently rolling waves to bring them more food from the ocean.

“What is that funny little gull doing?” asked Mary, pointing to a gull standing in a shallow pool of water wriggling with all his might. “He is swiftly moving his webbed feet to disturb the sea worms and insects in the sand,” answered Jim. “Now he is pecking all around him. You will often see them doing this.” Just then a large wave rolled in, and the children were amused to see the gulls turn and run out. “Just as we do when a big wave comes,” laughed Peter.

On the dry sand, farther along the beach, there were many sea-birds basking in the sunshine. Some, with heads tucked under their wings, were rocking themselves to sleep. As the children stood watching them, some of the birds began to move about. “Oh, Jim,” said Peter, “I see a gull with only one leg, and another with one foot. I thought you told us that they were protected by law.” “So they are,” replied Jim, “but I’m afraid

some people are cruel enough to injure them.” Mary threw pieces of bun to the birds and was glad to see that the little “ Hop-alongs ” were quite able to help themselves. “The greater number of the sea-birds on the beach this morning are black-billed gulls, but amongst them are terns and black-backed gulls,” said Jim. “The terns are white and pale-grey, all but their heads, which look as though they had on little black hoods. You can see that they are about the same size as the black-billed gulls, but their legs are shorter. The tern is sometimes called the sea-swallow because it flies with jerky movements, up and down, as it flaps its long-pointed wings. It does not wade, like the gulls. When fishing, it hovers above the waves, dipping frequently to catch small fish swimming near the surface of the water.”

“What pretty birds they are,” said Mary, “but they’re not very friendly.” “Neither are the black-backed gulls,” replied Jim; “they fly off when you try to get near them.” “They are very large gulls,” remarked Peter, “nearly twice the size of the others. Oh, look! one is eating a dead fish!” “Quite a number of dead fish have been washed in this morning,” said Jim, “but the gulls will soon gobble them. The bay would be a very unpleasant place if it were not for the gulls. Now we will have a dip before going home.”

As Jim and the children ran out of the water, they saw the little gulls wheeling and circling near a picnic party, and swooping down to snatch the scraps thrown out. “All the gulls play their part in keeping the beach clean,” said Jim. “They do their share of work in the country also, by following the plough and picking up the grubs and insects that might spoil the crops.” “Then the lovely sea-shore birds are all useful,” said Mary. “Yes, all of them,” replied Jim. “They are among our most beneficial birds.”