4 NATURE IN ACADIE. 



light and graceful in the extreme, they usually fly close 

 to the water, upon which they frequently settle, but they 

 often rise higher in the air and wheel over the vessel, or 

 several at a time come close alongside, flying close to 

 the surface of the water, their sharply curved wings 

 moving with a quick regular beat ; usually, however, 

 they are to be seen stretching in an irregular column 

 far away in the vessel's wake like white specks, alter- 

 nately rising and falling, sweeping onward or settling in 

 the long line of foam which marks her track. 



I also observed here several small parties of the little 

 auk or "dovekie"; these little birds fly heavily, close 

 to the surface of the water, and in a compact body; 

 they are easily recognised by their black and white 

 plumage, and are usually seen swimming close together 

 upon the surface of the water, but they dive instantly 

 upon the slightest alarm, and remain below a consider- 

 able time, reappearing at some distance. 



About noon a small bird flew on board in an exhausted 

 condition and settled on the rail of the bridge, after- 

 wards flying down to the deck, where it picked up a few 

 crumbs, but on my approach it flew away again and 

 was seen no more. I recognised it as a snow-bunting 

 in summer dress, but the appearance of this little wan- 

 derer at such a distance from land was a matter of some 

 surprise to me. I noticed in addition one or two guille- 

 mots and petrels, and also several jaegers or skuas, 

 including the long-tailed or Buffon's skua, the flight of 

 which is swift and graceful. The porpoises, of which 

 I observed small parties every day until now, had all 

 disappeared. 



The morning of Sunday, October n, broke in a day 

 of singular fineness, and found us lying at rest in the 

 land-locked harbour of the quaint little town of St. 

 John's, Newfoundland. I lost no time in getting on 

 shore, and immediately started on a tour of investigation 

 in the surrounding country. The day was cool and 

 bright, but far warmer and drier than I had expected, 

 and the sun sailed high in a cloudless blue sky. 



Once clear of the little town I directed my steps 



