410 AUDUBON 



oars. Each buoyant bark disi^lays the flag of its nation. 

 No weapons do they bring, nor anything that can be used 

 as such save their oars and their fists. Cleanly clad in 

 Sunday attire, they arrive at the desired spot, and at once 

 prepare to ascend the rock. The eggers, now number- 

 ing a dozen, all armed with guns and bludgeons, bid defi- 

 ance to the fishermen. A few angry words pass between 

 the parties. One of the eggers, still under the influence 

 of drink, pulls his trigger, and an unfortunate sailor is 

 seen to reel in agony. Three loud cheers fill the air. 

 All at once rush on the malefactors ; a horrid fight en- 

 sues, the result of which is that every eggcr is left on 

 the rock beaten and bruised. Too frequently the fisher- 

 men man their boats, row to the shallops, and break every 

 Q^^ in the hold. 



The eggers of Labrador not only rob the birds in this 

 cruel manner, but also the fishermen, whenever they can 

 find an opportunity; and the quarrels they excite are 

 numberless. While we were on the coast, none of our 

 party ever ventured on any of the islands which these 

 wretches call their own, without being well provided with 

 means of defence. On one occasion, when I was present, 

 we found two eggers at their work of destruction. I 

 spoke to them respecting my visit, and offered them pre- 

 miums for rare birds and some of their eggs; but although 

 they made fair promises, not one of the gang ever came 

 near the " Ripley." 



These people gather all the eider-down they can find ; 

 yet so inconsiderate are they, that they kill every bird 

 which comes in their way. The eggs of Gulls, Guillemots, 

 and Ducks are searched for with care ; and the Puffins and 

 some other birds they massacre in vast numbers for the 

 sake of their feathers. So constant and persevering are 

 their depredations that these species, which, according 

 to the accounts of the few settlers I saw in the country, 

 were exceedingly abundant twenty years ago, have aban- 



