[5] OPERATIONS OF SCHOONER GRAMPUS. 495 



Collections of small Crustacea which constitute the food of the mack- 

 erel were made. Young and immature fish were also obtained. Inves- 

 tigations were carried on to ascertain the presence, in the regions visited, 

 of auy of the Gadidcv or other valuable food species. Reference is made 

 to the reports of the commanding officer, Dr. Beau, aud Mr. Richard 

 Rathbun (vol. VII, Bull. U. S. Fish Commission, pp. 217-267) for a full 

 account of the results of the cruise. 



B. INVESTIGATION CONCERNING THE MACKEREL, ETC., SUMMER OF 1887. 



The Grampus arrived at Gloucester, Mass., on June 4, where I joined 

 her six days later and resumed command. During the remainder of 

 the month the vessel was refitted, repainted, and made ready for a sum- 

 mer cruise to the eastward. On July 2, we sailed from Gloucester 

 on a trip to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Newfoundland, and Labrador 

 under the following orders from the Commissioner: 



U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 



Washington, D. C, May 10, 1887. 



Sir : As soon as you have finished the explorations in regard to the 

 location and route of travel of the southern school of mackerel and 

 have properly refitted, you will proceed northward with a view to ex- 

 amining the condition of that fish in waters of a higher latitude. You 

 will visit the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the coast of Newfoundland, and 

 especially the eastern coast, where it will be seen that there are impor- 

 tant observations to be made of the movements of the mackerel and 

 other fish. 



You are authorized to take with you Mr. Lucas and Mr. Palmer as 

 naturalists, and you will give these gentlemen opportunity of making 

 collections of the birds and eggs of the region in question ; and also, 

 with their help, make special examinations of any convenient localities 

 for remains of the great auk. These may be sought for On the Funk 

 and Penguin Islands, and wherever else you think the search will return 

 satisfactory results. 



I do not think it necessary to obtain any special authority from the 

 Newfoundland government for carrying on the work here suggested ; 

 but should you stop at St. John's I would recommend you to see Rev. 

 Mr. Harvey, and ascertain his views in the matter. 

 Yours truly, 



Spencer F. Baird, 



Commissioner. 



Capt. J. W. Collins, 



Commanding Schooner Grampus. 



