"""iVo!"'] PROCEEDINGS (>F Tilh: NATIONAL MUSEUM. 253 



well kiiowu among- the people of eusteiii Newfouudlaiid, and with th3 

 constantly increasing travel and the high value of the skin or eggs, it 

 would seem strange that, if the bird still exists, none should liave been 

 taken for so many years. 



9. Stercorarius pomarinus (Temin.). Poniariue Jaogar. 



Several were seen at intervals from Cape Pine northwards, and 

 through the strait of Belle Isle to the Miugan Islands, but they were 

 very shy and none were obtained. 



10. Rissa tridactyla (Liim.). Kittiwake. 



Breeding abundantly at Bird Kocks, Bonaventure and Bacallioa 

 Islands, Newfoundland. None were seen elsewhere except on the 

 homeward voyage, ort Cai)e Sable, when several young were observed. 

 A young bird taken from the nest at Bird Bocks was kept alive and 

 accompanied us around Newfoundland, becoming, as it grew up, quite 

 a pet with all on board, and l)eing allowed perfect freedom. On the 

 homeward voyage, when off East Point, Prince Edward Island, a mack- 

 erel schooner sailing in an opposite direction came close by to speak 

 with us. The bird was on deck at the time, and as the vessel passed 

 the wind from the sails of the mackerelman swept down on our decks : 

 Johnny felt it and opening his wings Hew from the vessel to some dis- 

 tance. He, however, returned, but the Grampus was going at such a 

 rate that he could not reach her; he then flew off" but soon returned 

 and tried again to make the vessel but failed. Again he flew off and 

 making a wide detour returned and again attempted to reach the ves- 

 sel, but the rapid rate at which we were going prevented him, and at 

 last, tired out, he slowly settled on the surface, carefully dropping his 

 feet as he reached the water, precisely in the same manner as older 

 birds. Considering that the bird had never flown before, and since he 

 was a nestling had never seen other birds flying, his i)erformance, 

 especially his three attempts to reach the vessel, was remarkable. He 

 had become a pet with all on board, and it was with great regret that 

 we were compelled to leave him to his fate; a victim, doubtless, to his 

 inability while in captivity to make proper use of the oil glands which 

 in sea birds are a very essential part of their economy. 



11. Larus marinus Linu. Great Black-backed Gull. 



Quite frequently seen in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and on the New- 

 foundland coast, but everywhere shy and keeping well out of range. 

 A few young were flying about the Miugan Islands, but they were very 

 shy. 



12. Larus argentatus smithsonianus Cones. American Herring Gull. 



Very abundant along the Newfoundland and Labrador coasts where 

 they breed about the shores of the numerous lakes and ponds which 



