EXPLORATIONS IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR. 721 



etation, and although holes were dug iu many places quite to bed-rock, 

 uo bones were thus discovered, nor were any seen at any point of the 

 island. The Great Auk, it is true, may once have bred here, but from 

 the character of the islands this is extremely doubtful, while the prox- 

 imity of the mainland would have made them at all times easy of access 

 and rendered the extermination of the bird an easy matter. To-day 

 the principal inhabitants of Penguin Islands are Field Mice (Arvicola 

 riparia), whose burrows are to be seen on every hand, while paths run- 

 ning from one hole to another cover the ground in places with a perfect 

 network. A little exploration of the more populous districts showed 

 that beneath the surface was a veritable labyrinth of intercommunicat- 

 ing burrows, some old and some new. Iu some instances Petrels (Oce- 

 anodroma leucorrhoa) were found to have taken possession of deserted 

 habitations of the Field Mice, much as the Burrowing Owl occupies the 

 dwellings of the Prairie Dog, and from the great abundance of burrows 

 it is probable that a considerable number of these little birds breed here. 

 The eggs found were perfectly fresh, and as those collected at the 

 Bird Eocks on July 0, contained well-advanced embryos, it would seem 

 probable that this Petrel raises two broods a year. Although the 

 Petrels were breeding here, none were seen about the islands, nor were 

 any seen around the Bird Bocks, where they were breeding on the 

 summit, so that if the males assist in the work of incubation, they must 

 keep well away from the laud until after dark. A few nests of the 

 Arctic Tern were scattered over one end of the island, the eggs being 

 in an advanced stage of incubation ; one or two Puffins were seen, and 

 a Sandpiper or two, but on the whole the results obtained were of a 

 negative character. 



On July 29 we arrived at Canada Bay, where there is a small fishing- 

 hamlet, and where we were led to hope that seals might be found, a hope 

 that was, however, doomed to disappointment, for very few seals were 

 seen at Canada Bay, and these were the ever present Harbor Seal. 

 Cetaceans were quite abundant, the Dolphin (Delphinus delphis), Por- 

 poise (Tur.siojis tursio), and Puffing Pig (Phoca'na communis) being fre- 

 quently seen, Tursiops running up the Bras d'Or branch of the bay for 

 a mile or so; but, in spite of their abundance, all these species were 

 extremely shy, and it was found impossible to approach within striking 

 or shooting distance of any of them. Small Finback Whales were also 

 seen occasionally, one of which was accustomed to visit the harbor 

 toward sunset, making his appearance with great regularity. Both 

 land and sea birds were almost entirely lacking, although Mr. Palmer 

 succeeded in obtaining a pair of the rare Welch's Ptarmigan (Lagopas 

 icelchi) during an excursion to the Cloud Hills, which lie on the western 

 side of the bay. On this trip comparatively recent signs of Caribou 

 were also noticed. Two small trout-streams empty into the western 

 side of Canada Bay, the course of each being interrupted by vertical 

 falls, above which no trout were to be obtained. Trout caught in the 

 H. Mis. 224, pt, 2 4G 



