THE LABRADOR JOURNAL 3 59 



intersect the country in many directions. We saw large 

 flocks of Velvet Ducks feeding close to the shores ; these 

 did not appear to be in pairs. The Gannet dives quite 

 under the water after its prey, and when empty of food 

 rises easily off the water. 



June 14-, off the Gannett Rocks. We rose at two 

 o'clock with a view to proceed to the eastern extremity of 

 these islands in search of certain ponds, wherein, so we 

 were told, Wild Geese and Ducks of different kinds are 

 in the habit of resorting annually to breed. Our informer 

 added that formerly Brents bred there in abundance, but 

 that since the erection of several buildings owned by 

 Nova Scotians, and in the immediate vicinity of these 

 ponds or lakes, the birds have become gradually very shy, 

 and most of them now proceed farther north. Some of 

 these lakes are several miles in circumference, with shal- 

 low, sandy bottoms; most of them are fresh water, the 

 shores thickly overgrown with rank sedges and grasses, 

 and on the surface are many water-lilies. It is among 

 these that the wild fowl, when hid from the sight of man, 

 deposit their eggs. Our way to these ponds would have 

 been through a long and narrow bay, formed by what sea- 

 men call sea-walls. In this place these walls are en- 

 tirely of light-colored sand, and form connecting points 

 from one island to another, thus uniting nearly the whole 

 archipelago. Our journey was abandoned just as we were 

 about to start, in consequence of the wind changing, and 

 being fair for our passage to Labrador, the ultimatum of 

 our desires. Our anchor was raised, and we bid adieu to 

 the Magdalenes. Our pilot, a Mr. Godwin from Nova 

 Scotia, put the vessel towards what he called " The Bird 

 Rocks," where he told us that Gannets {Sula bassana) 

 bred in great numbers. For several days past we have 

 met with an increased number of Gannets, and as we 

 sailed this morning we observed long and numerous files, 

 all flying in the direction of the rocks. Their flight now 



