Lyricism from The Worst Journey in the World (1922; Chapter III, "Southward") by Apsley Cherry-Garrard:

... There are many other beautiful sea-birds, but most beautiful of all are the Snowy petrels, which approach nearer to the fairies than anything else on earth. They are quite white, and seemingly transparent. They are the familiar spirits of the pack, which, except to nest, they seldom if ever leave, flying "here and there independently in a mazy fashion, glittering against the blue sky like so many white moths, or shining snowflakes." ...

... quoted phrase credited to "Wilson" in the Discovery Natural History Reports.

(cf Birdless Silence (2004-06-05), BirdySunset (2006-12-03), Birding, Zen, and BirdCast (2023-04-19), ...) - ^z - 2023-06-28