Page:Condor18(3).djvu/17

May, 1916 A POPL?LOUS SHORE 107 the wave hardened beach to the level where drifted seaweed and hummocky sand gave protection and soft resting places, ! discovered a large circle of quiet birds. The big Godwits stood on the outside of the circle and next to them about .thirty Surf-birds, most of them sitting down, while inside was a close bunch of Sandpipers. It was a beautiful sight! But, alas, a number of both Godwits and Surf-birds were maimed. Poor creatures, turning to each other for companionship in their man-inflicted suffering. Wounded birds were on every side--broken-legged Godwits, crippled Surf-birds, cheerful little Sandpipers stumping around pitifully on one foot, and a poor little trot of a Snowy Plover with one leg dangling, together with beautiful Gulls, one apparently with a leg shot entirely off. This horrid maiming increased until ! felt thankful when even the smallest Sandpiper put one foot down before the other and trotted off normally. And when a man in khaki aimed at one individual, picked it up instantly, and killed it humanely, he stood apart as a legitimate sportsman, one who, like the sciehtific collector, shoots to kill and considers it a cEsgrace to maim. But to stone flocks of waders, to shoot scavenger Gulls, and murder tame Cormorants--surely the hunting instinct needs education and regulation! Meanwhile automobiles hurry down to the gun clubs with callow youths and pump guns. When a gunman had driven all my water birds from the beach, one morning ! went down the weed thickets between the shore and the marsh, discovering among others a Song Sparrow, a Shrike, a Black Phoebe, a Yellow- throat, a number of Belding Sparrows, and a charming little Tule Wren; also finding the flock of Meadowlarks which had been singing delightfully morn- ings although it was the last week in October. From the weed thickets I went on down to the sand dunes so solidly compacted that walking over them was almost as exhilarating as walking on crust. At the foot of the beautiful dunes grew queer succulent plants suggesting curls and varying from green to dark reddish, while on the dunes grew various vines and flowers that made me wish for the knowledge of a botanist. The dunes overlooked the marshes which between their intersecting waterways were ruddy with some interest- ing plant. Small aggravatingly vague Rail-like forms were seen creep'ing stealthily along the edge of some of the patches of open water and there were hints of exciting possibilities. What rare delight it would be to paddle silently through these waterways and really see the birds and plants hidden there--to sit quietly in your boat and see the great flocks of Ducks come string- ing over from the ocean, hundreds of them tired from long journeying corn.. ing to rest in the quiet waters of the lagoons! Worlds of birds were there already but too far away for recognition. Although ! could not see the multitudes of birds that frequented the marshes, besides the Gulls and waders who were regular habitues of my strip of beach there were many passers-bywho looked in on our shores. A solitary Loon, slender-billed and tailless, was seen swimming near one day, looking in shore with yellow eyes; and a few Terns of different sizes were seen, some- times plumping down into the water, sometimes flying high, headed over the sea. While looking out over the ocean one morning I was delighted to dis- cover the droll figures of four great California Brown Pelicans coming down the shore. With necks drawn in, huge bills pointing down, and wings flapping, they suggested ancient dwarfs with huddled-in forms. Three more passed down the next morning, such big ?droll creatures that men on the beach