THE FRIENDLY TERNS.
ONE day Mr. Edwards, the Scotch naturalist, shot at a Tern, hoping to secure the beautiful creature as a specimen. The ball broke the bird's wing, and he fell screaming down to the water.
His cries brought other terns to the rescue and with pitiful screams they flew to the spot where the naturalist stood, while the tide drifted their wounded brother to the shore.
But before Mr. Edwards could secure his prize he observed to his astonishment, that two of the terns had flown to the water and were gently lifting up their suffering companion, one taking hold of either wing.
But their burden was rather heavy, so after carrying it seaward about six or seven yards, they let it down, and two more came, picked it up, and carried it a little further.
By relieving each other in this way, they managed to reach a rock, where they thought they would be safe
But Mr. Edwards did not approve of losing his specimen in this way, and made for the rock. He was soon discovered by the watchful Terns, who now surrounded the rock in great numbers, and, with screams and cries, once more bore away their disabled friend right out to sea. Mr. Edwards might have prevented them if he had tried; but he had too warm an admiration for the brotherly kindness of the birds, who, as he says, exhibited
"an instance of mercy and affection which man himself need not be ashamed to imitate." Indeed, he was rather glad of the disappointment, which had given him the opportunity of witnessing this remarkable scene of sympathy and brotherly love.
Picking Up Brother Tern,