NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 383 
stem. These birds use their wings vigorously to propel themselves 
under water. It was observable that the individuals in a diving 
flock kept their relative distances and bearings under water with 
as much correctness as if on the wing, and all returned to the 
surface within a second of one another. During the breeding 
season the pouch-like enlargement of the cheeks gives them a 
singular appearance. The contents of the cheeks is a reddish 
coloured substance, which on closer examination is found to con- 
sist of immense numbers of minute Crustacea. The adaptation 
of the mouth in this species, as a receptacle for the food required 
for their young, does not appear to have attracted much attention 
among naturalists; and yet a little consideration would have 
shown that some such arrangement must be required. With fish- 
feeders, such as Alcea, Uria, and Fratercula, no difficulty arises in 
transporting food to their young; butin the case of Mergulus alle, 
which I believe subsists entirely on minute Crustacea, the bill is 
manifestly incapable of conveying the requisite amount of food, 
especially as very often the breeding places of the Little Auk are 
found inland, at considerable distances from the sea. This bird 
does not appear to be possessed of great powers of flight, or 
capable of waking head-way against a gale: this will account for 
its having often been picked up in an exhausted condition far 
inland. In autumn Little Auks were migrating southwards in 
immense numbers from Davis Strait: probably these flocks were 
bound for the Labrador and Newfoundland coasts, for I did not 
observe them later on during that voyage in the Atlantic to the 
eastward of the longitude of Cape Farewell. 
The Cary Islands were reached on July 27th. As it was deter- 
mined to land a depot of provisions on the south-eastern island of 
the group, we had an opportunity for a run on shore. Eider 
Ducks, with their young, Little Auks, Dovekies, and a colony of 
Glaucous Gulls, which latter nested on a steep cliff, were all the 
species of birds met with. ‘I'he ascent to the breeding place of 
these Gulls was somewhat difficult: the ledges were covered with 
the ordure and castings of the birds, and the remains of Little 
Auks. The old Gulls, numbering some twenty pairs, attacked 
me vigorously, their boldness and cries increasing when the ledge 
was reached, on which about a dozen young Gulls were running 
about. Seizing a couple of young birds by their necks I attempted 
to descend; but they were so vigorous, and used their feet and 
wings with such force, that it was necessary to let one go, to avoid 
