FOOLISH GUILLEMOT. 143 



by which they may escape. At this moment all about you are in dismay 

 save the Guillemots. The sea is covered with these intrepid navigators 

 of the deep. Over each tumultuous billow they swim unconcerned on 

 the very spray at the bow of the vessel, and plunging as if with pleasure, 

 up they come next moment at the rudder. Others fly around in large 

 circles, while thousands contend with the breeze, moving directly against 

 it in long lines, towards regions unknown to all, save themselves and some 

 other species of sea birds. 



The Guillemots pair during their migrations ; — many of them at least 

 do so. While on my way toward Labrador, they were constantly within 

 sight, gambolling over the surface of the water, the males courting the 

 females, and the latter receiving the caresses of their mates. These would 

 at times rise erect in the sea, swell their throats, and emit a hoarse puffing 

 guttural note, to which the females at once responded, with numerous 

 noddings to their beaux. Then the pair would rise, take a round in the 

 air, re-alight, and seal the conjugal compact ; after which they flew or 

 swam together for the season, and so closely, that among multitudes on 

 the wing or on the waves, one might easily distinguish a mated pair. 



Not far from Great Macatina Harbour lie the Murre Rocks, con- 

 sisting of several low islands, destitute of vegetation, and not rising high 

 from the waters. There thousands of Guillemots annually assemble in 

 the beginning of May, to deposit each its single egg, and raise its young. 

 As you approach these islands, the air becomes darkened with the multi- 

 tudes of birds that fly about ; every square foot of the ground seems to 

 be occupied by a Guillemot planted erect as it were on the granite rock, 

 but carefully warming its cherished egg. All look toward the south, and 

 if you are fronting them, the snowy white of their bodies produces a very 

 remarkable effect, for the birds at some distance look as if they were 

 destitute of head, so much does that part assimilate with the dark hue 

 of the rocks on which they stand. On the other hand, if you approach 

 them in the rear, the isle appears as if covered with a black paU. 



Now land, and witness the consternation of the settlers ! Each af- 

 frighted leaves its egg, hastily runs a few steps, and launches into the 

 air in silence. Thrice around you they rapidly pass, to discover the ob- 

 ject of your unwelcome visit. If you begin to gather their eggs, or, 

 still worse, to break them, in order that they may lay others which you 

 can pick up fresh, the Guillemots all alight at some distance, on the bo- 

 som of the deep, and anxiously await your departure. Eggs, green and 



