314 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [4] 



cause of this scarcity is I am unable to say. Under date of August 1, 

 1879, I find the following note : " Shot three hags, but they are very 

 scarce." I am somewhat inclined to the opinion that they find abund- 

 ance of squid at that season, and therefore do not come about the ves- 

 sels so much as when hungry. When or where the hagdon breeds is 

 unknown to me. My opinion is that it breeds in winter. I have opened 

 many hundreds of these birds, but have never found their sexual organs 

 in a condition that would indicate they were incubating. 



It may be well, in this connection, to allude to the social habits of the 

 hagdon as they have come under my observation. When the birds 

 reach their destination in the spring, for a few days after their arrival, 

 they do not seem to make any special effort for the purpose of securing 

 food, but pass most of their time sitting in large numbers on the water, 

 and at this period it is somewhat difQcult to catch them on hook and 

 line. Occasionally a flock will make a short flight and again settle 

 down, but there appears to be a strong inclination, at this time, to hud- 

 dle together and keep up the organization which has probably existed 

 during their migration from distant regions. The same thing in regard 

 to going in flocks is noticeable in the fall, when they collect for their 

 autumnal migration from the fishing-banks. At such times they show 

 the same disinclination to bite at hook and line that they exhibit when 

 first arriving on the fishing-grounds. This apparent indifierence to food 

 at such times is all the more remarkable, since only a few days elapse 

 after the flocks have reached the fishing-grounds in the spring before 

 they break up ; and in a little while after the arrival of the hagdon it may 

 be seen skimming the surface of the water on a tireless wing, totally 

 unmindful of the presence or absence of its companions, unless, indeed, 

 their appearance -may indicate where food is abundant; in such cases it 

 loses no time, but rapidly wings its way to join them in the feast. Nor 

 does it do this from any feeling of sociability, if we may judge from its ac- 

 tions, but simply to gratify its enormous appetite. In doing this it fights 

 and struggles with all other birds, whether of its own kind or of other 

 species, to gain possession of the finest morsels, uttering, meanwhile, ex- 

 tremely harsh and discordant notes. When feeding it displays a dash 

 and pugnacity that is perfectly astonishing. The audacious boldness 

 with which it will attack superior strength in the struggle for food, and 

 the ferocity and reckless bravery it exhibits on such occasions cannot 

 fail to command the attention of all who witness the performance. 

 Nothing can exceed the activity of the hag or its intrepid recklessness, 

 if I may so term it, when in pursuit of food, and, when very hungry, it 

 seems to pay almost as little regard to the i^resence of man as to the 

 proximity of other birds. 



The tenacity of life exhibited by Fuffinus is certainly surprising. It 

 often happens that after its skull has been crushed between the teeth 

 of its captors, a hagdon may lie seemingly dead for several minutes and 

 then recover sufiiciently to make desperate efforts to escape. In several 



