OF ALCA-ALL.E. 47 



parts of the globe. In California, the geese 

 and ducks cover the ground for many square 

 acres so effectually as completely to change its 

 natural colour ; and Audubon, speaking of the 

 passenger-pigeon in its visit to the banks of 

 the Ohio, estimated the number of birds upon 

 the wing at one time at one billion, one hun- 

 dred and fifteen millions, and upwards. The 

 number I have given certainly seems large ; yet, 

 when it is told that the little rotges rise in such 

 numbers as completely to darken the air, and 

 that their chorus is distinctly audible at a dis- 

 tance of four miles, the estimate will not be 

 thought to bear any reduction. 



As soon as the ships were at anchor mea- 

 sures were taken for the survey of the port, 

 and boats were despatched to all parts of the 

 bay, either on this duty or on shooting excur- 

 sions. The weather was remarkably fine during 

 the greater part of the time we were at anchor, 

 especially on the anniversary of His Majesty's 

 birthday, which was commemorated by an extra 

 issue of provisions to the ships' companies. 



Magdalena Bay was the first port in which 

 we had anchored in the Polar regions, and 

 there were of course many objects to engage 

 our attention. We were particularly struck with 

 the brilliancy of the atmosphere, the peaceful 



