YESSO. 1 3 



the low flat point which, running out four miles, formed 

 the eastern boundary of the bay, stood a single 

 colossal stem of a dead fir-tree, having still two great 

 arms which forked out about thirty feet from the 

 ground. In this fork was an eagle's nest, and judging 

 from the mass of sticks which in repeated layers 

 formed the nest, the birds must have been at work on 

 it for years. I had not the heart to shoot one of the 

 noble birds, which were busily employed rearing their 

 young, but afterwards I regretted not having procured 

 a specimen in the perfect adult plumage. 



I only observed thirty different species of birds 

 at this place, but my time was short, as I had to re- 

 turn to Nemero. Excepting in the valleys, the trees 

 were all small ; by far the greater portion reach only 

 about twenty feet in height, the tops being either 

 twisted off or broken and bent down. The whole face 

 of the country has the appearance of being swept by 

 strong south-easterly winds. The northern species of 

 albatross, so common about here, breeds, I should think, 

 on some of the low flat islands to the east of Yesso. 

 The young, I believe, are of a blue-black colour, with a 

 flesh-coloured bill ; and although I have seen this bird 

 through every month of the year, I never observed one 

 in an intermediate state between the black young 

 bird and the pure white, black-pinioned, buff-necked 



