BIRD LIFE SEEN ON A TRIP TO ALASKA 265 



not actually inaccessible to man, at least so very difficult 

 that lie looks for easier conquests. 



But let it not be understood that the birds of the Auk 

 Family confine themselves to high cliffs and precipices. On 

 the contrary, they congregate in thousands on rocky ridges, 

 or on the tops of sandy hills — called dunes — at the sea-shore, 

 where their nests are easily accessible to all their enemies. 

 Just why their enormous colonies do not attract foxes and 

 wolves by hundreds, we cannot imagine, unless it be for the 

 reason that the general abundance of animal life dulls the 

 edge of appetite and enterprise. 



To any one interested in sea-birds, of which there is really 

 a great variety, a trip to Alaska is replete with interest. 

 Within a few hours after leaving Seattle, or, let us say, at Port 

 Townsend, the bird life around the ship fairly compels at- 

 tention. A flock of gulls fly so close to the rail of the hurri- 

 cane-deck that some of them might be caught with a dip-net. 

 Pigeon guillemots, and ducks of several species afloat on the 

 cold waters of the Sound, ostentatiously swim out of the 

 steamer's track. On the ocean it will be strange if an alba- 

 tross does not sail out of space, and with far-stretching wings 

 swoop and soar, and sail after you, hour after hour, without 

 once flapping its wings! 



In Bering Sea, no matter where you land, the chances are 

 that thousands of murres and puffins are there to greet you 

 with noisy cackle, and spread a cloud of wings overhead 

 when you disturb them. Really, the rookeries of Alaska — 

 of seals as well as birds — are alone sufficient to repay a trip 

 to that arctic wonderland, aside from the wonderful scenery. 



