THE IMAGDALENE ISLANDS — ^PATTERSON. 49 



still they give their attention to fishing to the neglect of their 

 farms. 



Northeast, about eighteen miles from Grosseisle, and twelve 

 from Bryon, lie the Bird Rocks, distinguished as the Great Bird 

 and the North Bird. They of course derive their name from the 

 immense multitude of birds that frequent them. Though I was 

 not nearer than twelve miles and evening was approaching, and 

 there was besides a slight haze towards the horizon, I could dis- 

 tinctly see the greyish-white color (by visitors they are described 

 as white as snow) from the large number of the birds which 

 make their nests upon them, particularly the gannet. This bird is 

 about three feet long, white in color, except the "top of the head 

 and the back of the neck, which are tinged with yellow, and the 

 quill feathers, which are black. They possess great power of 

 flight. They are round us now miles from their home, and it is 

 interesting to watch them as they soar aloft, and then, folding 

 their wings close to their sides, dart down with unerring aim 

 and seize their finny prey beneath the waters, and then with a 

 few flaps of their wings on the water, quickly rise again. When 

 a shoal of herring approach the shore, the scene is said to be 

 very animated, thousands of these birds gathering like a white 

 cloud over the spot, and seeming like a stream of shot pouring into 

 the sea as they plunge into the waters and rise with their prey 

 glistening in their beaks. On these islands their nests are so 

 thick, that in appearance the surface is compared to a field of 

 potato hills. In consequence, the visitor has his ears dinned b}^ 

 the horrible clamour, while his olfactories are oflfended by other 

 results of their presence. I may add that all the islands afford 

 a fine field for the pursuit or study of birds. On Grindstone 

 Island, a visitor in one day killed ninety-five of eighteen differ- 

 ent species. 



These islands rise abruptly to the height of 140 feet, their 

 sides having a shelving or terraced form. It is only in a calm 

 state of wind and sea that a landing can he effected. On the 

 Great Bird, in connection with the lio-ht-house there established, 

 there is an arrangement by which visitors as well as all supplies 

 are hoisted to the summit by a crane. In size they are too small 

 4 



