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swim, and dive with celerity, although very small ; but on the 

 same occasion many eggs were found that were nearly fresh. 

 The males were often seen about the shores in small flocks by 

 themselves. By the middle of August, the eider ducks, wild 

 geese and several other species were seen in immense flocks 

 on and about the reefs at low water, but could then be ap- 

 proached only with extreme care, on account of their watch- 

 fulness. 



Somateria spectaiilis, Leach. King Eider. A skin of this species 

 was seen in possession of Mr. Pope, at South-West Point 

 lighthouse, and he informed us that they were not uncommon. 

 It is uncertain whether they breed on the island. 



Mergus serraior, Linn. Ked-breasted Sheldrake. Very common. 

 Called " Becscie " by the French Canadians. A nest was 

 found July 1 7, containing six eggs with embryos about half 

 developed. It was placed under a low larch by the edge of a 

 small pond about half a mile from the shore of the island. 

 The nest consisted merely of a shallow excavation lined with 

 small sticks, leaves, and a few feathers. Young were seen, 

 however, as early as July 3. They are, from the first, very 

 expert in diving and swimming, and are caught with difficulty. 

 Some that were captured August 12, at Becscie River, were 

 about one-third grown, and the wings were very small. These 

 we endeavored to keep alive, but they continued exceedingly 

 wild and shy, refused all kinds of food, and died in a few 

 days. 



Sula bassana, Briss. Gannet. These were quite common about the 

 island, but none were found breeding there. They were 

 found breeding in immense numbers at Bird Rocks, but we 

 can add nothing to the excellent description of that locality by 

 Dr. Henry Bryant (Proc. B. S. N. H., Vol. viii., p. 68). They 

 also breed in large numbers at Perce Rock, situated a few 

 miles south of Cape Gaspe, near Perce Village and Bonaven- 

 ture Island. The locality is, however, quite inaccessible. 

 This remarkable rock is about 300 feet high, with perpendicu- 

 lar walls on all sides. There is a large arch through it, near 

 the middle, through which the tide flows. Aside from its 

 ornithological attractions, it is well worth a visit on account 

 of its geological structure. It consists of stratified limestones, 

 considerably altered, and containing a few fossils, apparently 

 of Upper Silurian age, but the strata stand in a nearly per- 

 pendicular position, so that the sides of the island are formed 

 by the surfaces of the strata, and its summit by their edges. 

 Large numbers of cormorants also breed on this rock, together 

 with some herring gulls and murres. 



