Bonaventure Island and Perce Rock 



127 



Another most interesting species which nests at Bonaventure Island is the 

 Purlin. The Puffin lays its single whitish egg in a hole in the rocky cliffs. 

 Its 'spectacled' eyes and strange varicolored beak give it an appearance of 

 comical solemnity. Its most simple act appears ludicrous. It is so confiding 

 and trustful that it is not difficult to study its interesting ways at close range. 



On the top of Perce Rock about 2,000 Double-crested Cormorants rear 

 their young. Other colonies of these birds nest in the neighborhood. Black 

 Guillemots, Common Murres, and Razor-billed Auks all lay their eggs among 

 the rocks of Bonaventure Island, and a few Guillemots have their homes on 

 Perce Rock. Hundreds of Kittiwakes and thousands of Herring Gulls nest 

 where they can find acceptable sites on both of the Islands. And, last but not 

 least, Leach's Petrels, those weird elves of the darkness, maintain large num- 

 bers of nesting-cavities on the heights of Bonaventure Island. 



Aside from the bird colonies, Perce presents numerous attractions to the 

 summer visitor. Beautiful and unique scenery, salt-water boating, bathing, 

 and fishing, clear and rapid streams and wild Canadian woodland combine to 

 make it an ideal place for a summer vacation. There is good hotel accom- 

 modation, although reservations should be made well in advance, and there 

 is an abundance of camping-sites. Perce is reached via the Canadian National 

 Railway System, connection being made from Matapedia by an independent 

 branch line. It is also accessible by automobile, the best road connection 

 being through Campbellton, New Brunswick. Those bird-lovers and nature- 

 lovers who visit it in the nesting-season, between May 1 and September 1, 

 will be many times repaid. 



GANNETS AT HOME ON BONAVENTURE ISLAND, QUEBEC 



The young birds may be distinguished by their downy plumage and dark bills. 



Photographed by Wm. Duval 



