MODERN CLIFF-DWELLERS 



Puffins at Matinicus Rock, and Razor-billed Auks 

 at Grand Manan. Several pairs of Double-crested 

 Cormorants, after many vain efforts to- rear a single 

 brood, are about giving up the struggle. I had 

 hoped to find better conditions existing in Nova 

 Scotia ; but, wherever I went, the story was 

 repeated that within the last few years the birds had 

 ceased to nest. 



Inquiry revealed the fact that the islands of the 

 Gulf of St. Lawrence are now practically the 

 southernmost stronghold of these interesting and 

 elusive birds. So, in June, a year ago, I started for 

 the Magdalen Islands, accompanied by a congenial 

 bird-lover. A day's journey brought us to Pictou, 

 Nova Scotia, whence we embarked in the weekly 

 steamer upon the then calm waters of the often 

 turbulent Gulf of St. Lawrence. Early next morn- 

 ing, exhilarated by the almost frosty air, we gazed 

 upon the red sandstone cliffs, spruce-grown hills, 

 and fields dotted with white cottages, of the Mag- 

 dalen Islands, sparkling in the sunshine. 



In due time we reached our destination, the 

 home of a fisherman, near the eastern end of the 

 chain of islands. After an interesting week spent 

 among the water-birds of the ponds about East 

 Point, the day arrived for our embarkation for the 

 Bird Rocks. Weeks before we had made arrange- 

 ments with the captain of a small schooner to land 

 us on the Great Bird Rock on June 21, and call for 

 us after four days, as well as with the keeper of the 

 Bird Rock light for entertainment. 



