CRUISE OF LA BELLE MARGUERITE 



they cried car-ca-son most distinctly. That 

 evening we anchored behind Hunting Island 

 in the sheltered harbour of Betchewun, and 

 paid our respects to the solitary inhabitant. 

 Again we were off, and this time, taking ad- 

 vantage of the calm water in the early morning, 

 we laid our course for Seal Rock, which was a 

 barren lime-stone rock, one of the last of the 

 Mingan group. Not altogether barren this 

 rock proved to be, however, for, although only 

 about an acre in extent, it could be seen even 

 from a distance to be covered with black ob- 

 jects, which stretched up their necks in alarm 

 at our approach. Suddenly about 400 birds, 

 double-crested cormorants or shags as they 

 are also called, sprang into the air and flew 

 about over our heads, for the most part silent 

 but occasionally uttering hoarse croaks. Weird 

 birds they are, with long, snake-like necks and 

 great feet like bat's wings, with webs connect- 

 ing all their toes. Their black plumage, show- 

 ing a purple metallic sheen, is relieved by orange- 

 coloured patches of bare skin at the throat, 

 at the base of the bill and in front of the eye. 

 Their eyelids are black with a beading of blue 

 spots, while the eyes themselves are emerald - 

 ill 



