298 DOVEKIES. [CHAP.V. 



Our acquaintances, the ravens, paid us daily 

 visits, and sometimes perched on the pinnacle of 

 the most elevated hummock, apparently watching 

 the movements of those on board. We explored 

 the surface of the lanes for seals or other ani- 

 mals, but in vain, until a couple of curiously 

 speckled dovekies appeared playing about, 

 though, from whence, no one could tell. A 

 wish was expressed to shoot them, to which I — 

 whom their lively motions and seeming enjoy- 

 ment amused and gratified — was unwilling to 

 accede. The mottled plumage, however, was 

 too great a temptation, and finally one of the offi- 

 cers set off to secure them ; he waited for some 

 time in ambush gazing at them, and hoping they 

 would come within shot, till at last wearied and 

 cold, he was fain to relinquish the attempt. In 

 the evening much snow fell, and two fresh holes 

 of water appeared on the starboard quarter with- 

 in a short distance of the ship. 



March 31st. The ice remained perfectly tran- 

 quil round the ship, though daylight showed a 

 greater difference than had been noticed for a 

 long time. There were several lanes of open 

 water immediately surrounding our pack, while 

 near the same places, but to seaward, were 

 holes and openings in various directions ; most 

 of them at right angles to the land. In 

 addition to these, some of the waves of ice had 



