In their migrations overland, every hand is set against them if they pause to rest or feed." "But when they reach deep water, they must be safe; for they can fly faster than any boat can sail after them," said Rap.
"Sail--yes; but men go in gunning-punts, sneak-boats, and even steam-launches, to surround the flocks of Wild Ducks that are lying low, trusting perhaps to a covering of fog, and when it lifts these water pot-hunters commit slaughter which it would be slander to call sport." "Oh, look!" cried Rap, "there are hundreds of Gulls over there, and Sea Swallows too.

There is the island, for the breeze has come up and we have sailed ever so far without noticing it.

There is a great flock of Gulls going off together--are they beginning their fall journey ?" "No, they are only going to some harbor to feed.

They belong to a guild of water birds that I think we might call Sea Sweepers; for they clear from the surface of the water the refuse that the tide would otherwise throw upon the beaches.

They also follow in the wake of ships for the same purpose.