After flying some miles, they came upon a number of sea-gulls, who seemed very interested in the children.
“Funny things,” said one gull. “They don’t seem to have any tails.”
“I expect they’re some new kind of bat,” said another. “Bats have four legs, and so have these!”
“Very ugly bats!” cried a third; “their skin is all loose, and they haven’t any fur on it.”
“They are not bats. Bats only fly in the twilight! These have wings like flying fish,” said one who had travelled far.
“Queer fish!” sneered another. “I shouldn’t like to eat ’em. You try.”
“Gracious! I only hope they don’t!” cried Coppertop, in alarm.
“They’d better not attempt to!” said Tibbs, rolling back his sleeves. “Do you remember that lovely sea-gull pie we ate last Sunday!” he cried in a loud voice.
“We didn’t——” began Coppertop.
“Hush!” warned Tibbs. “Look!”