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THE FOOLISH GUILLEMOT. 



Ubia Troile, Lath. 



PLATE CCXVIII. Male and Female. 



This bird is seldom found farther south than the entrance of the Bay 

 of New York, where, however, it appears only during severe winters, 

 for being one of the most hardy inhabitants of the northern regions, 

 its constitution is such as to enable it to bear without injury the rigours 

 of their wintry climates. About the bays near Boston the Guillemots 

 are seen every year in greater or less numbers, and from thence to the 

 eastward they become gradually more abundant. A very old gunner whom 

 I employed while at Boston, during the winter of 1832-3, assured me, 

 that when he was a young man, this species bred on many of the rocky 

 islands about the mouth of the bay there ; but that for about twenty 

 years back none remained after the first days of April, when they depart- 

 ed for the north in company with the Thick-biUed Guillemot, the Com- 

 mon Auk, the Puffin, and the Eider and King Ducks, all of which visit 

 these bays in hard weather. In the Bay of Fundy, the Foolish Guille- 

 mot is very numerous, and is known by the name of Murre, which it re- 

 tains among all the eggers and fishermen of Newfoundland and Labrador, 

 where it breeds in mj-riads. To those countries, then, I must lead you, 

 good Reader, as there we can with ease study the habits of these birds. 



Stay on the deck of the Ripley by my side this clear and cold morn- 

 ing. See how swiftly scuds our gallant bai-k, as she cuts her way through 

 the foaming billows, now inclining to the right and again to the left. Far 

 in the east, dark banks of low clouds indicate foul weather to the wary 

 mariner, who Avatches the approach of a northern storm with anxiety. 

 Suddenly the wind changes ; but for this he has prepared ; the topsails 

 are snugged to their yards, and the rest are securely reefed. A thick fog 

 obscures all around us. The waters suddenly checked in their former 

 course, furiously war against those which now strike them in front. The 

 uproar increases, the bark is tossed on every side ; now a sweeping wave 

 rushes against the bows, the vessel quivers, while down along her deck 

 violently pour the waters, rolling from side to side, seeking for a place 



