IE OTTAWA NATURALIST 



Vol. XX^ I. NOVEMBER, 1912 No. 8 



ADDIT ^.AL NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF NEWFOUND- 

 LAND. 



By W. J. Brown, Westmount, Que. 



In JuiTe, 1911, we experienced a stormy passage over night 

 from Norta Sydney to Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, a 

 heavy gak and sea tossing the Reid-Newfoundland Steamer 

 "InvermorV' around in such a manner as to make sleep im- 

 possible. In May, 1912, we had a most delightful trip, covering 

 the distance of 102 miles in about six or seven hours. The Reid- 

 Newfound'iand Company have now a daily service between 

 North Sydney and Port aux Basques. The new "Bruce" and 

 " Invermo.e," although practically ocean liners in miniature, 

 snug and comfortable, and afford excellent accom- 

 mouauOu in every respect. At seven o'clock in the morning 

 we were 'locked up" in mist and fog, but the rasping foghorn, 

 a mile away, gave indications of close proximity to the barren 

 ranges ofe Newfoundland. Even a keen and enthusiastic 

 ornitholi ist cannot look at Port aux Basques for the first time 

 and smi^v,, especially if it is raining and a heavy fog prevails. 

 The "Pet" presents one of the dreariest and most forlorn of 

 pictures _s a gate of entry into probably the finest paradise for 

 birds ar^igame in America. First impressions, however, are 

 soon forg jtten, as the scene ashore is one of great activity and 

 the express train is waiting nearby to carry man and baggage 

 into a magnificent camping ground among the mountains and 

 waterway* in the interior. The traveller soon finds himself 

 passing along the banks of beautiful streams and is tempted to 

 jump off to visit a pool, wherein, no doubt, lurk many large 

 trout. But, this is no fishing excursion and the many songs and 

 notes of the northern breeding sparrows and warblers soon 

 divert attention. The train makes considerable noise en route, 

 especially when going around curves, but above all this a con- 

 tinuous bird chorus can be heard outside the car windows. 



There are some charming towns and villages along the 

 Bay of Islands and here we noted many different species of birds 

 nesting en masse in stunted spruce woods. A small area of 



