LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAN PETRELS AND PELICANS. 109 



along the bed of our river until we found a place less steep than elsewhere 

 where we ascended, one after the other, helping each other, or rather mounting 

 on the shoulders of those who remained below, whom we then drew up to us 

 with lianas, as well as our dogs. I thought that after passing this difficult 

 place our troubles would be over, but these bad spots occurred each time it was 

 necessary to pass streams or rivers, which happeneil seven or eight times 

 before we arrived at the top of the birds' mountain, which is at the side of the 

 Soufri^re. It was almost 6 o'clock when we arrived at the place where our 

 hunters had planned to make their cabin. We set ourselves to work on our 

 lodging, some cutting poles, others gathering ferns, while the two hunters went 

 to look for some birds for supper. I had taken the precaution of bringing with 

 me my cloak, a good bottle of Madeira, and some bread, with some brandy and 

 farina for our negroes. Our cabin was very soon built; we covered it with 

 " cachibou " leaves which we had cut on the road as we knew well that we would 

 not find them in the place where we were going. We made a good litter of ferns 

 to sleep upon, and built a large fire to cook the game which the hunters had 

 gone to get for supper as well as to warm us during the night, which is always 

 very cold in these elevated places. 



Our two hunters were successful ; they returned fairly soon with fifteen or 

 sixteen diablotins. Each set to work plucking them. As for me I made the 

 spits upon which to roast them. After they were plucked and singed they 

 were opened along the back ; the entrails, together with the feet, the heads, and 

 the bases of the wings, served for supper for the dogs. The body is spitted 

 diagonally — that is to say, the spit is passed from one thigh to the opposite 

 shoulder. It is then planted in the ground before the fire and turned from 

 time to time to cook the meat on both sides, and when it is almost cooked, 

 salt is thrown upon it ; a " cachibou " or " balisier " leaf serves as a plate. It 

 must be confessed that a diablotin eaten from the spit is a delicious morsel. I 

 thought that I would be satisfied with one diablotin, but because either the 

 cold air of the mountain or the fatigue of the journey had increased my appe- 

 tite, or because the diablotins of this region are more delicate and more easy 

 of digestion than others, it was necessary to do as my companions did and to 

 eat a second. The night was fine and without rain, and we slept well, although 

 the diablotins kept up a great noise in leaving their homes to go out to sea 

 and in returning to them. 



The next day at daybreak we started out to hunt them. Each hunter is 

 armed with a long pole an inch thick and seven or eight feet long, rather 

 supple, and with a hook at the end. The dogs which we had brought along 

 searched for and ferreted out all the burrows. When they perceived that there 

 was a diablotin in a burrow (for this mountain is perforated like a warren) 

 they yelped and began to scratch ; but the hunter takes care to prevent them 

 from spoiling the entrances, for then the diablotins would not reenter them 

 another year. The pole is thrust immediately into the burrow until it reaches 

 the bird, which when it feels it seizes it with its beak and holds it fast and 

 allows itself to be drawn outside rather than let go. When it reaches the 

 mouth of the burrow the light blinds it, it is dazzled, and wishes to retreat 

 into its burrow ; but the hunter closes this with his foot. Then the bird turns 

 on its back to defend itself with its beak and claws. It is then seized by the 

 head, its neck is wrung, and the hunter attaches it to a cord or liana which 

 lie wears about his body after the fashion of a belt. It sometimes happens that 

 the bird does not wish to bite the pole; then the latter is poked about in the 

 burrow from side to side until it becomes caught in the bend of the wing which, 

 being very large, the bird can not extend sufficiently to free itself, and it is thus 



