BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 39§ 



cold, proceed as far as Maryland. Some of them breed at the 

 Bay of Fundy, but they abound much more in Labrador, on the 

 little lakes which are common in that wild country. They are 

 at all times shy and watchful, alive to every danger, but par- 

 ticularly uneasy at the sight of man. When he appears, though 

 at a great distance, they dive and swim under water to the far- 

 ther part of the lake, but if he continues to approach, they rise 

 from the water, instead of diving again like the loon. Their 

 notesj uttered in rapid succession, are harsh and rather loud. 

 Dr. Richardson says that they cover their eggs with down like 

 the eider ; but as this was not the case with those seen at Lab- 

 rador, they probably vary their practice according to the climate 

 where they make their nests. 



The Black Guillemot, Uria grylle, has been seen, in se- 

 vere winters, as far south as Maryland ; but is uncommon even 

 as far south as Massachusetts. A specimen has been procured 

 at Nahant, by Dr. Brewer ; but they do not abound this side of 

 the Bay of Fundy. At Labrador, they breed in large num- 

 bers. They are sea-birds in the fullest sense of the term, 

 hardly ever going inland, except to breed ; and they are so ac- 

 tive and successful, in procuring food, that they can remain and 

 thrive, when almost all other birds are driven by the cold from 

 the northern seas. Like many other sea fowl, they show great 

 sagacity in preparing a place for their nest. If the fissure in 

 the rocks where they make it, is dry, they waste no labor upon 

 it ; but if it is likely that any water may run there, in the time 

 of rain or dissolving snow, they raise it with pebbles to a suf- 

 ficient height to keep their eggs from being injured. Is this 

 instinct, or is it reason ? Or, rather, who will point out the 

 boundary that separates the two ? 



The Foolish Guillemot, Uria troile, so called, from its pa- 

 tience in submitting to evils which it cannot help, is a hardy 

 inhabitant of northern regions. It is said to submit to be killed 

 in the breeding season, without attempting to escape ; but Au- 

 dubon, who knows more of their habits than any one else, does 

 not mention this circumstance in his interesting description. 



