408 AUDUBON 



collect and carry to their boat. Now they have regained 

 their filthy shallop; they strip the birds by a single jerk, 

 of their feathery apparel while the flesh is yet warm, and 

 throw them on some coals, where in a short time they are 

 broiled. The rum is produced when the Guillemots are 

 fit for eating, and after stuffing themselves with this oily 

 fare, and enjoying the pleasure of beastly intoxication, 

 over they tumble on the deck of their crazed craft, where 

 they pass the short hours of night in turbid slumber. 



The sun now rises above the snow-clad summit of the 

 eastern mount. "Sweet is the breath of morn," even in 

 this desolate land. The gay Bunting erects his white 

 crest, and gives utterance to the joy he feels in the pres- 

 ence of his brooding mate. The Willow Grouse on the 

 rock crows his challenge aloud. Each floweret chilled by 

 the night air expands its pure petals. The gentle breeze 

 shakes from the blades of grass the heavy dew-drops. On 

 the Guillemot isle the birds have again settled, and now 

 renew their loves. Startled by the light of day, one of 

 the eggers springs to his feet and rouses his companions, 

 who stare around them for a while, endeavoring to collect 

 their senses. Mark them, as with clumsy fingers they 

 clear their drowsy eyes ! Slowly they rise on their feet. 

 See how the filthy lubbers stretch out their arms, and 

 yawn; you shrink back, for verily "that throat might 

 frighten a shark." 



But the master soon recollecting that so many eggs are 

 worth a dollar or a crown, casts his eye towards the rock, 

 marks the day in his memory and gives orders to depart. 

 The light breeze enables them to reach another harbor a 

 few miles distant, one which, like the last, lies concealed 

 from the ocean by some other rocky isle. Arrived there, 

 they re-act the scene of yesterday, crushing every egg 

 they can find. For a week each night is passed in drunk- 

 enness and brawls, until, having reached the last breed- 

 ing-place on the coast, they return, touch at every isle in 



