I. A RARE NEST
Among the resident birds one of the most interesting from an ornithological1 standpoint is that known as the grey-rumped swiftlet (COLLOCALIA FRANCICA), referred to by Macgillivray as “a swallow which Mr. Gould informs me is also an Indian species.” That ardent2 naturalist3 is, therefore, entitled to the credit of discovery. Sixty-one years had passed since Macgillivray’s visit, during which no knowledge of the life-history of the bird which spends most of its time hawking4 for insects in sunshine and shower had been revealed, when a fragment of a nest adhering to the roof of a cave on one of the highest points of the Island attracted attention. Submitted to an expert (Mr. A. J. Campbell, of Melbourne, Victoria), the identity of the builder was guessed. Subsequently I had the satisfaction of finding a colony close to the water’s edge, on the weather side, where the birds had frequently been seen darting5 among blocks of granite6 almost obscured by jungle.
No nests were found in crevices7 deemed to be favourable8 spots, though the predilection9 of the genus for gloom was appreciated, but upon the exploration of a confined cave the excited flutterings of invisible birds betrayed a hitherto well-kept secret. When my eyes became accustomed to the dimness I saw that the roof of the cave (which is fairly smooth and regular with an inclination10 of about thirty degrees) was studded with nests. Fifty-three were placed irregularly about the middle of the roof, some in pairs, none on the walls. Some were not quite finished; twenty contained a single white egg each; none contained young. All were adherent11 to the stone by a semi-transparent white substance resembling isinglass, with which also the fine grass, moss12, and fibre composing the nests were consolidated13. The vegetable material of the first fragmentary nest (found September 17, 1908) was quite green and the gluten moist and sticky. Those now described (two months later) were dry and tough, the dimensions being 2 to 2? inches across and about ? inch deep. The cave is only about 30 feet above high-water mark and the entrance the birds favour is, strange to say, averse14 from the sea and much obscured by leafage.
After the first fright the birds became quiet and confident. A young one flew into my half-closed hand, and I detained it for a while and it never struggled. Another tried to snoodle into the shirt-pocket of the black boy who accompanied me. Several brushed against our faces. Clouds partially15 obscured the sun and what with the screen of foliage16 and the prevailing17 gloom of the cave we could not always distinguish the nests. When the sun shone brightly all were plainly discernible, those with the single pearly egg being quaintly18 pretty. As they flitted in and out of the cave, the birds were as noiseless as butterflies save when they wheeled to avoid each other. Those which were brooding, as they flitted over the nests or clung to the edges, uttering a peculiar20 note hard to vocalise. To my cars it sounded as a blending of cheeping, clinking, and chattering21, yet metallic22, and not very unlike the hasty winding23 up of a clock.
One bird flew to her nest a foot or so from my face and clung to it. To test its timidity or otherwise I approached my face to within two inches, but she continued to scrutinise me even at such close quarters with charming assurance. Then I gently placed my hand over her. She struggled. but not wildly, for a few seconds and then remained passive with bright eyes glinting in the gloom. She was a dusky little creature, the primaries, the back of the head, neck, the shoulders, and tail being black, but when the wings were extended the grey fluff of the base of the tail was conspicuous24. After a few minutes I put her back on the nest, and she clung, to it having no shyness or fear. I noticed that the beak25 was very short, the gape26 very large, the legs dwarfed27, and the toes slender.
We remained in the cave for about half an hour, during which time the birds came and went indifferent to our presence. As far as I am aware members of the species never rest save in their headquarters, clinging to the roof or the nests and never utter a sound except the reassuring28, prattle29 upon alighting on the edge of the nest. It was interesting to note that while many young birds were fluttering about in the cave none occupied a nest, and eggs were in successive stages of incubation, as proved by appearance and test.
The fact that the nests of these swifts are cemented with coagulated saliva30 establishes analogy with that other member of the family which builds in the caves of frowning precipices31 near the sea, making edible32 nests greatly appreciated by Chinese gourmands33, some of whom maintain the fantastic theory that the swift catches quantities of a small, delicately flavoured fish which it exposes on rocks until desiccated, to be afterwards compounded into nests. The ancients were wont34 to believe in the existence of hostile mutuality35 between the swifts and the bêche-de-mer, though they have little in common in respect of appearance, attributes, and habits. If memory serves, one of the genera had the specific title of HIRUNDO, founded on the faith that the swift, by flying over the sea-slug exposed by receding36 tide, and vexing37 it by jeers39, caused it to exude40 glutinous41 threads which the swift seized and bore away to its cave to be consolidated and moulded into a nest. To the fable42 was appended a retributive moral, viz., that the bêche-de-mer occasionally revenged itself by expelling such a complicated mass of gluten that it became a net for the capture of the swift, which was slowly assimilated by its enemy. The Chinese, it may be said, with but slight perversion43 of fact, show equal partiality for the respective emblems44 of speed and sloth45.
Since the dates mentioned it has been ascertained46 by personal observation that the breeding season of the swiftlet extends over four months, during which probably four young are reared, each clutch being single. The nests do not provide accommodation for more than one chick, which before flight is obviously top large for its birthplace. Looking down into the cave, the eggs well advanced towards incubation seem to have a slight phosphorescent glow. The earliest date so far recorded of the discovery of a newly laid egg is October 14th, but there is reason to believe that the breeding season begins at least a month earlier. On January 10th this year (1910) half the nests in the cave originally described contained eggs, in most of which (judging by opacity) incubation was far advanced, while in several were young birds, some newly hatched, others apparently47 ready to depart from their gloomy, foul-smelling quarters. These latter clung so determinedly48 to their nests with needle-like toes that the force necessary to remove them would certainly have caused injury.
It may be remarked that the breeding season of the nutmeg pigeon is also protracted49 over a third of the year — from September to the end of January, two or three single successive clutches being reared. The pigeon is a visitor, the swift a resident.
II. THREE FISHERS
At the outset it is almost incumbent50 to announce that this is not a fish story. It is not even a story, though fish play a secondary part in it. Therefore it should not make shipwreck51 of the faith of those who smile and sniff52 whensoever a fish or a snake is informally introduced in print. The imagination of some observers of the wonders of natural history paints incidents so extravagantly53 that their illustrative value is depreciated54 if not entirely55 distorted.
As I would wish to establish a sort of general confidence with any chance reader of these lines who, like myself, finds no need for exaggeration in the chronicling of observations, being well aware that Nature with the ease of consummate56 art outwits the wisest and laughs at the blotches57 of the boldest impressionist, it seems but common politeness to explain that though the Island may be romantic, the art of romancing is alien from its shores, albeit58 (as some one has hinted) that in imagination reverently59 applied60 lies the higher truth.
The distance from the mainland is not so great as to deprive the Island of generally distinctly Australian characteristics. It was, no doubt, in the remote past, merely a steep and high range of hills separated from other hills and mountains by plains and lagoons61. Delicate land shells, salt-hating frogs, and subtle snakes are among the living testifiers to past connection with Australia, but while all the animals and nearly all the birds native to the island are common on the mainland, several mainland types are conspicuously62 absent.
If, therefore, the birds and mammals seem in these literal chronicles to have little ways of their own, may they not owe obedience63 to true and abiding64 circumstances — a kind of unavoidable fate — due to isolation65? It would indeed be singular if an island so long separated from Australia as to possess no marsupial66 did not impress certain idiosyncrasies upon its fauna67 and flora68. It would be absurd to contend that as a rule, the untamed creatures carry any marks of distinction, but I have had the opportunity of studying facts of which I have never been fortunate to have confirmation69 either by reading or by “swapping lies” with other students of Nature.
Occasionally when bewilderment has come I call to mind what Mrs. Jarley said of her waxwork70, and let the case pass: “I won’t go so far as to say that, as it is, I’ve seen waxwork quite like life but I’ve certainly seen some life that was exactly like waxwork.” When I see a crab71 not easily distinguishable from a piece of sponge and a piece of sponge far more like a crab generally than the crab, that unconsciously mimics72 it, and possessing just as much apparent animation73, I am content to be tricked in many other ways by the good mother of us all.
Having ventured so far by way of preface, it is quite possible that the reader may have concluded that something exceptionally marvellous is to follow. Disappointment was inevitable74 from the first. The relation of some of the quaint19 distinguishing traits of the Island fauna must be left until the historian imagines that he has established a reputation for subduing75, rather than heightening, the tone of his facts. This introduction has not a particular but a wide bearing.
Chief among the birds of prey76 are the osprey, the white-headed sea-eagle, and the white-bellied sea-eagle. The great wedge-tailed eagle (eagle-hawk) is a rare visitor, and is not a fisher. The others are resident and are industrious77 practisers of the art which, according to their interpretation78, is anything but gentle. As they indulge in it, the sport is so rough and boisterous79 and clumsy that one wonders that so many fish should be caught. Each soars over the sea in circles at a height of about 60 feet or 80 feet, and when fish are seen flies down and, plunging80 into the water, seizes its prey with its talons81. Unless the bird is watched closely its attitudes while preparing for the downward cast and during the descent are misunderstood. “And like a thunderbolt he falls” is quite, according to local observations, an erroneous description of the feat82 performed by the fishing eagle. Take as an example of the others the actions of the noble bird the white-headed sea-eagle. As it circles over the blue water its gaze is fixed83 and intent. Flight seems automatic — steady, fairly swift, rippleless. Immediately a fish is sighted, attitudes and poses become comparatively strained and awkward. Flight is checked by the enormous brake-power of outspread tail, and backward beating wing. The eagle poises84 over the spot, stretches out its legs, and extends its talons to the utmost; flies down in a series of zig-zags, and with the facial expression of the dirty boy undergoing the torture of face-washing, plunges85 breast first with outstretched wings with a mighty87 splash into the water. Disappearing for four or five seconds, it finds it no easy task to rise with a two-pound mullet.
Splendid as the feat undoubtedly88 is, it does not coincide with the description usually given. Have we not often been told of the headlong, lightning like drop that almost baffles eyesight? The circumstance that baffles is that fish are so unobservant or so slow that they do not always, in place of sometimes, escape. For the excuse of the fish it must be acknowledged that very few members of the tribe are fitted with eyes for star-gazing. The eagle captures a dinner, not by the exercise of any very remarkable89 fleetness or adaptiveness or passion for fishing, but because of certain physical limitations on the part of the fish.
“As is the osprey to the fish, who takes it
By sovereignty of nature.”
The subserviency90 of fish to the osprey was noted91 by the ancients, who attributed a fabulous92 power of fascination93 to the bird so that as it flew over the ponds the fish “turned their glistering bellies94 up” that it might take liberal choice. Certainly some limitation on the part of the fish seems to operate in favour of the osprey, otherwise the clumsy fisher would oft go hungry.
It goes against the grain to speak slightingly of the knightly95, white-headed sea-eagle — a friend and almost a companion; but as any one may see that it fishes not for the sport but for the pot, and that the plunge86 into the water is a shock that is dreaded96, no injustice97 is done. Some birds — and they the most graceful98 — seem to fish for sport alone. These three fishers fish because, like Kipling’s kangaroo, they have to — only the kangaroo hopped99.
Now, the white-headed sea-eagle, which seems, and with good reason, to be proud of its ruddy back, appears to have no enemy of its kind. While the osprey and the white-bellied sea-eagle fall out and chide100 and fight, it looks down from some superior height and placidly101 watches the fish trap, for though knightly it is not above accepting tribute, for it likes fish though it hates fishing.
The great osprey seldom crosses the bay without a challenge from its stealthy foe102, the white-belly. The voices of both are alike in their dissonance though different in quality and tone, and the smaller bird is invariably the aggressor. This is how they fight, or rather engage in a vulgar brawl103 which has in it a smack104 of tragedy. The osprey, with steady beat of outstretched wing, flies “squaking” from its agile105 enemy, who endeavours to alight on the osprey’s back. Just as white-belly stretches its talons for a grip among the osprey’s feathers, the osprey turns — and turns without a tremor106 in its long, sweeping107 wings — to shake hands with white-belly. For a moment the huge bird rests on its back, silhouetted108 against the luminous109 sky, to interlock talons with its nimble foe. But white-belly is fully110 alive to the risk of getting “into hoults” with so heavy a weight, for on the instant it swoops111 up with a harsh cry of rage or disappointment. With but a single flap and no quiver of wing the osprey rights itself and sails away (a methodic, unflurried flight) with fleeter white-belly in pursuit, which when within striking distance swoops again, to be faced by the grim, outstretched talons of the osprey, who has turned in flight with machine-like precision. So swift and sudden is the discreet113 upward swoop112 of the white-belly that it almost appears to be a rebound114 after contact with the bigger bird. So the scrimmage, or, to be exact, screamage, proceeds, for each party to it tells the whole Island of its valour, and business stands still as the series of most graceful, yet savage115, aerial evolutions is repeated until the rivals are blotted116 out by distance.
Once I saw a bunch of feathers fly from the osprey’s back. The aerial capsize had not been timed with accustomed accuracy. Weight told, and it speedily shook itself free; but I am waiting for the day when, in mid-air, the osprey and the white-bellied sea-eagle shall clasp hands. It will be an exciting moment for the sea-eagle. The osprey is a cuter as well as a heavier bird, and, in the phrase of the blacks, “That fella carn let go!”
When the osprey comes skirting the hollows of the hills for cockatoos, its hunger will be unsatisfied until, by elaborate and disdainful manoeuvres, the cockatoos are induced to take flight. Perched on the top of a tree, they may jeer38 in safety as long as they like; but let the flock fly into the open and the osprey will be surprised if it does not get one, and that which is singled out it follows “like a grim murderer still steady to his purpose.” Now is the time for this, greatest of the three fishers, to, wax fat and become pompous117, for its diet is to be varied118 with nutmeg pigeons, and the pigeons have come in their thousands and tens of thousands, and if the eaglets do lack and suffer hunger, it will be on account of the laziness of their parents.
For all its laborious119 fishing, the red-backed sea-eagle is sometimes deprived of its spoil by a bird much inferior in size and weight and which has not the slightest pretensions120 to the art. An eagle had captured a “mainsail” fish (banded dory) which loomed121 black against its snowy breast as in strenuous122 spirals it sought to gain sufficient height whence to soar over the spur of the hill to its eyrie. The fish, though not weighty, was awkward to carry, and the presence of the boat rather baffled the bird, which was shadowed in envious123 though discreet flight by a white-bellied eagle. Low over the water, close to the fringe of jungle the eagle flew, when a grey falcon124 dashed out, snatched from its talons the wriggling125 fish, and with one swoop disappeared under a yellow-flowered hibiscus bush overhanging the tideway. The falcon is no match for the eagle; but, most subtle of birds of prey, it had watched the perplexity of its lord and master, and with audacious courage taken advantage of a moment’s embarrassment126.
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1
ornithological
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| adj.鸟类学的 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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naturalist
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| n.博物学家(尤指直接观察动植物者) | |
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hawking
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| 利用鹰行猎 | |
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darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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crevices
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| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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predilection
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| n.偏好 | |
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inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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adherent
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| n.信徒，追随者，拥护者 | |
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moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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consolidated
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| a.联合的 | |
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averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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prevailing
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| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
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quaintly
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| adv.古怪离奇地 | |
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quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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gape
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| v.张口，打呵欠，目瞪口呆地凝视 | |
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dwarfed
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| vt.（使）显得矮小（dwarf的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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prattle
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| n.闲谈；v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话；发出连续而无意义的声音 | |
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saliva
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| n.唾液，口水 | |
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precipices
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| n.悬崖，峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
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edible
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| n.食品，食物；adj.可食用的 | |
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gourmands
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| n.喜欢吃喝的人，贪吃的人( gourmand的名词复数 )；美食主义 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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mutuality
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| n.相互关系，相互依存 | |
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receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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vexing
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| adj.使人烦恼的，使人恼火的v.使烦恼( vex的现在分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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jeer
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| vi.嘲弄，揶揄；vt.奚落；n.嘲笑，讥评 | |
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jeers
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| n.操纵帆桁下部（使其上下的）索具；嘲讽( jeer的名词复数 )v.嘲笑( jeer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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exude
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| v.(使)流出，(使)渗出 | |
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glutinous
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| adj.粘的，胶状的 | |
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fable
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| n.寓言；童话；神话 | |
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perversion
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| n.曲解；堕落；反常 | |
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emblems
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| n.象征，标记( emblem的名词复数 ) | |
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sloth
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| n.[动]树懒；懒惰，懒散 | |
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ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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determinedly
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| adv.决意地；坚决地，坚定地 | |
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protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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incumbent
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| adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的 | |
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shipwreck
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| n.船舶失事，海难 | |
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sniff
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| vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视 | |
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extravagantly
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| adv.挥霍无度地 | |
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depreciated
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| v.贬值，跌价，减价( depreciate的过去式和过去分词 )；贬低，蔑视，轻视 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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57
blotches
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| n.（皮肤上的）红斑，疹块( blotch的名词复数 )；大滴 [大片]（墨水或颜色的）污渍 | |
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albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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lagoons
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| n.污水池( lagoon的名词复数 )；潟湖；（大湖或江河附近的）小而浅的淡水湖；温泉形成的池塘 | |
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conspicuously
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| ad.明显地，惹人注目地 | |
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63
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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64
abiding
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| adj.永久的，持久的，不变的 | |
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65
isolation
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| n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离 | |
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66
marsupial
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| adj.有袋的，袋状的 | |
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67
fauna
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| n.(一个地区或时代的)所有动物，动物区系 | |
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flora
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| n.(某一地区的)植物群 | |
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confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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70
waxwork
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| n.蜡像 | |
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71
crab
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| n.螃蟹，偏航，脾气乖戾的人，酸苹果；vi.捕蟹，偏航，发牢骚；vt.使偏航，发脾气 | |
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72
mimics
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| n.模仿名人言行的娱乐演员，滑稽剧演员( mimic的名词复数 )；善于模仿的人或物v.（尤指为了逗乐而）模仿( mimic的第三人称单数 )；酷似 | |
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73
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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74
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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75
subduing
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| 征服( subdue的现在分词 )； 克制； 制服； 色变暗 | |
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76
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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interpretation
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| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
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boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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80
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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81
talons
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| n.（尤指猛禽的）爪( talon的名词复数 )；（如爪般的）手指；爪状物；锁簧尖状突出部 | |
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82
feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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83
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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poises
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| 使平衡( poise的第三人称单数 )； 保持（某种姿势）； 抓紧； 使稳定 | |
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plunges
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| n.跳进，投入vt.使投入，使插入，使陷入vi.投入，跳进，陷入v.颠簸( plunge的第三人称单数 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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86
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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subserviency
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| n.有用，裨益 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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fabulous
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| adj.极好的；极为巨大的；寓言中的，传说中的 | |
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fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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bellies
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| n.肚子( belly的名词复数 )；腹部；（物体的）圆形或凸起部份；腹部…形的 | |
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knightly
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| adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
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dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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hopped
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| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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chide
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| v.叱责；谴责 | |
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placidly
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| adv.平稳地，平静地 | |
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102
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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103
brawl
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| n.大声争吵，喧嚷；v.吵架，对骂 | |
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smack
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| vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍 | |
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agile
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| adj.敏捷的，灵活的 | |
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106
tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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108
silhouetted
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| 显出轮廓的，显示影像的 | |
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luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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111
swoops
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| 猛扑，突然下降( swoop的名词复数 ) | |
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112
swoop
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| n.俯冲，攫取；v.抓取，突然袭击 | |
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113
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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114
rebound
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| v.弹回；n.弹回，跳回 | |
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115
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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blotted
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| 涂污( blot的过去式和过去分词 )； （用吸墨纸）吸干 | |
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117
pompous
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的；夸大的；豪华的 | |
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118
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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119
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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120
pretensions
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| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
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loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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122
strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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123
envious
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| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
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124
falcon
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| n.隼，猎鹰 | |
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125
wriggling
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的现在分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等）；蠕蠕 | |
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embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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