CRUISE OF LA BELLE MARGUERITE 
they cried car-ca-son most distinctly. That 
evening we anchored behind Hunting Island 
in the sheltered harbour of Betchewun, and 
paid our respects to the solitary inhabitant. 
Again we were off, and this time, taking ad- 
vantage of the calm water in the early morning, 
we laid our course for Seal Rock, which was a 
barren lime-stone rock, one of the last of the 
Mingan group. Not altogether barren this 
rock proved to be, however, for, although only 
about an acre in extent, it could be seen even 
from a distance to be covered with black ob- 
jects, which stretched up their necks in alarm 
at our approach. Suddenly about 400 birds, 
— double-crested cormorants or shags as they 
are also called, — sprang into the air and flew 
about over our heads, for the most part silent 
but occasionally uttering hoarse croaks. Weird 
birds they are, with long, snake-like necks and 
great feet like bat’s wings, with webs connect- 
ing all their toes. Their black plumage, show- 
ing a purple metallic sheen, is relieved by orange- 
coloured patches of bare skin at the throat, 
at the base of the bill and in front of the eye. 
Their eyelids are black with a beading of blue 
spots, while the eyes themselves are emerald- 
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