CHAPTER XXVIIL 



Labrador Episodes : The Eggers of Labrador. 



HE distinctive appellation of * eggers * is given 

 to certain persons who follow principally or ex- 

 clusively the avocation of procuring eggs of wild 

 birds, with the view of disposing of them at some distant 

 port. Their great object is to plunder every nest, when- 

 ever they can find it, no matter where, and at whatever 

 risk. They aij2 the pest of the feathered tribes, and their 

 brutal propensity to destroy the poor creatures after they 

 have robbed them is abundantly gratified whenever an 

 opportunity presents itself Much had been said to me 

 respecting these destructive pirates before I visited the 

 coast of Labrador, but I could not entirely credit al 

 their cruelties until I had actually witnessed their pro 

 ceedings, which were such as to inspire no small degree 

 of horror. But you shall judge for yourself. 



" See yon shallop shyly sailing along ; she sneaks like 

 a thief, wishing, as it were, to shun the very light of 

 heaven. Under the lee of every rocky isle some one at 

 the tiller steers her course. 



" Were his trade an honest one he would not think of 

 hiding his back behind the terrific rocks that seem to 

 ha^ e been placed there as a resort to the myriads of birds 

 that annually visit this desolate region of the earth for 

 the purpose of rearing their young at a distance from alj 

 disturbers of their peace. How unlike the open, bold, 

 the honest mariner, whose face needs no mask, who 

 scorns to skulk under any circumstances ! The vessel 

 herself is a shabby thing; her sails are patched with 

 stolen pieces of better canvas, the owners of which have 



