498 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [8] 



in making collections of such birds as were not obtainable on the otber 

 rock and also presented us with a full series of eggs of birds that breed 

 at the rocks, which he had secured a short time before our arrival. 



Trials were made during the afternoon and evening for mackerel, but 

 without success. 



There was little or no wind until next morning and we lay at our an- 

 chorage off the Bird Eocks until 6.30 a. m. on the 10th, when we got 

 under way with a moderate southeast wind. It was proposed to make 

 some trials for mackerel off the Magdalens and toward St. Paul's Island 

 and then to go as direct as possible to St. John's, Newfoundland. The 

 wind increased rapidly, however, and the sky became overcast and 

 threatening. The course was therefore changed to west by north for 

 Entry Island. At 11 a. m., when about 15 miles east by south from 

 Entry Island, we hove to and threw toll-bait for mackerel and put out 

 hand-lines for cod and halibut. Eleven cod, two rusty flounders, and 

 one small halibut were caught. After making this trial we ran into 

 Pleasant Bay, where we anchored at 4.30 p. m. off Amherst Harbor. 



Shortly after anchoring, we were visited by the American cons'ular 

 agent, Mr. Leslie, and by two young American naturalises who were 

 making collections of the fauna of the islands. 



While at this place a few birds and other specimens of local fauna 

 were collected by our party. On account of stormy weather we lay at 

 our anchorage in Pleasant Bay until 8.30 a. in., on the 13th, when we 

 got underway with a moderate breeze from the east-southeast; weather 

 overcast and stormy looking. The wind, however, did not continue 

 from that direction, and when we were about 4 miles south-southeast 

 from Entry Island it died away nearly calm. At 2 p. m. we hove-to 

 and tried to "raise" mackerel with toll-bait, and at the same time put 

 out hand-lines for bottom fish. Five small cod and one halibut were 

 caught on the lines, but, noth withstanding the fact that we threw toll- 

 bait for upwardsof an hour we were unsuccessful in finding any mackerel. 

 A light wind sprung up at 5 p. m. from about northwest by west, but 

 finally became steady from west. We steered a course to pass north of 

 St. Paul's Island. 



In the early part of the morning of the 14th there was a moderate 

 breeze from south by east to south-southwest, with an overcast sky 

 and rapidly falling barometer. About day-break the weather became 

 very threatening and squally, with heavy rain showers, and continued 

 so until near noon, when it cleared somewhat. Sighted the west end 

 of St. Paul's Island bearing about west-southwest 8 miles distant. The 

 wind veered suddenly to northwest about 7 a. m. and continued strong 

 and fresh with a rough cross sea on starboard beam; the vessel 

 making a course to clear St. Pierre. At 7.18 on the morning of the 

 15th St. Pierre bore northeast by north, about 15 miles, and at 7.45 

 p. m. Cape St. Mary was just in sight bearing northeast by north. The 

 weather was pleasant and generally clear during the 15th, with a light 



