1902] Saunders Birds of Sable Island, N.S. 31 



gress towards the water, and as their Hmbs are so very short, 

 they are forced to hunch themselves alon^ much as does a many- 

 legged caterpillar. Everyone has noticed how, in the progress of 

 a caterpillar, a hump arises behind the head and travels back to 

 the other end. With the seals the motion is very similar, and the 

 effect of a whole section of a beach wobbling down into the water 

 in this peculiar style is one of the most ludicrous sights I ever 

 beheld, and the mainlanders broke into roars of laughter at the 

 attempts of each successive band. 



Almost at the opening of the history of the island, cattle were 

 liberated on it, and gradually multiplied until there was quite a good 

 herd there. These, however, were hunted by parties from the main- 

 land, who came over in boats for the purpose, and finally all the 

 wild cattle were exterminated. Horses were next introduced, and 

 some of their progeny are there yet. Swine were at one time wild 

 upon the island, but they were said to devour human bodies from 

 the frequent wrecks, and they were killed off for this reason. Rats 

 have once or twice been a plague to the inhabitants, on one 

 occasion making such inroads into the food supply as almost to 

 threaten their very lives. At another time rabbits were liberated 

 in small numbers and multiplied very rapidly, having a serious 

 effect upon the pasture for the horses ; cats were therefore im- 

 ported to kill them off, and when they had this last nearly accom- 

 plished a few foxes were liberated. It took the foxes but a single 

 winter to kill all the rabbits and all the cats, and the inhabitants 

 have been endeavoring ever since to get rid of this last and worst 

 pest. Whether they will succeed or not is hard to say ; but for 

 the sake ot the birds it is to be hoped that their efforts will not 

 falter. 



