444 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Kittiwake. Yesterday and to-day have been considerably warmer, 

 and all hands began gradually leaving off our Arctic bundlings. 

 In the afternoon a Guillemot, which allowed us to come close to 

 it before diving, had assumed the white throat of winter, and 

 another, a little later, was slightly grey. A good many Guillemots 

 during the afternoon ; whether all these were Briinnich's or the 

 Common species I cannot say. One immature Glaucous Gull, 

 three or four Kittiwakes, and an occasional Fulmar. Light breeze 

 (less than one knot) from S.W. about noon, which between 4 and 

 5 became a three-knots-and-a-half E. breeze, making it much 

 colder. The sea has been slightly phosphorescent every night 

 for nearly a week past. Observed a few small Medusa to-day. 



September 30. — Strong breeze from E. and E.S.E. all day, 

 slightly moderating towards evening. About 9.30 a.m. from 00 to 

 100 Kittiwakes following the ship, about tbree or four young to one 

 adult ; also about six Richardson's Skuas, all of which, so far as 

 I could see, were of the black-breasted variety, which (about lat. 

 73° 10') is far north to meet with them. During the morning several 

 Guillemots, which I believed to be the common species, but cannot 

 be sure. About 1 p.m. the Kittiwakes appeared to be rather more 

 numerous, and the Skuas— I imagine the same individuals— fol- 

 lowed us until well on in the afternoon. Fulmars all day, as usual, 

 one or more constantly in sight, and in the course of the after- 

 noon saw three or four Fulmars and a single Guillemot resting 

 on the water ; saw a couple of immature Glaucous Gulls about 

 midday. Wind decreased at noon, and fell almost calm 8 p.m., and 

 showed inclination to go round to the south. The harpooner 

 informed me to-night that we should not get a north wind before 

 Tuesday (three days hence) ; on enquiring how he knew that, he 

 replied that "it stood in the almanack." He, however, vouch- 

 safed the explanation that Jupiter comes into conjunction with 

 the moon on the 3rd, and that there is generally a north wind 

 with that planet. The Aurora appeared to the west about 10.30, 

 just before which there were a few drops of rain. Soon after 

 ] 1.30 the clouds cleared off, the moon came out bright, and it 

 became a most beautiful night. The moon had waned to a 

 remarkable extent, as it is only the second night after the full. 

 I lay for a long time in the boat on deck, star-gazing, as the air 

 was quite balmy. The Aurora ceased to be visible after about 

 12.15, midnight. 



