500 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [10] 



there is any soil over the granite rocks and ledges (that elsewhere stand 

 out in bleak nakedness), that the remains of the great auk were found 

 in profusion, a few inches below the surface. 



The collections made at this place embraced a large number of bones 

 of the great auk. besides many birds, eggs, fledglings, plants, etc., and 

 were extensive enough to fully satisfy the naturalists, since all or nearly 

 all of the different things that could be obtained on the island were 

 secured. 



While the vessel was at anchor in the offing, trials were made with 

 hand-lines for cod and other bottom fish, but with negative results 

 only. We lay at anchor off the " Funks " until the afternoon of the day 

 succeeding our arrival there. 



After getting all the collections and collecting party on board, we 

 got under way at 3.30 p. m., on the 23d, and passing Funk Islands our 

 course was laid for the Penguin Islands, which lie northwesterly from 

 Cape Freels. But, since the wind changed and increased considerably 

 in force after we started, it was decided a little later to run for Seldom 

 come-by Harbor, which it was believed we could reach before dark. 

 The wind fell light, however, aud drew dead ahead, so that, with an 

 unfavorable current, we could not reach the harbor before nightfall. 

 Therefore, at 10.15 p. m. we anchored 2J miles southeast from Caun 

 Island Light. 



We got under way at 8.25 on the morning of the 24th and ran for the 

 Penguin Islands, through the inner passage, by Copper and Gall Islands. 

 We anchored off the north Penguin Island at 10.50 a. m., and sent a 

 collecting party on shore. The collections made here consisted of small 

 land birds, sand-pipers, petrels, field mice, etc. Excavations were 

 made with the hope of finding remains of the great auk, but nothing 

 was obtained to indicate that it had ever inhabited this island.* 



The party soon returned on board and at 2 p. m. we got under way 

 and, passing between Coleman's and Small Islands, beat up to Little 

 Seldom come-by Harbor, anchoring there at 8 p. m. 



The next morning Mr. Lucas and I started on an expedition to a small 

 pond about 1J miles from the harbor, where we were informed it was 

 possible to obtain specimens of trout, gulls, ducks, etc. Seaman Osier 

 accompanied us and assisted in carrying the outfit. After scrambling 

 over rough rocky hills and struggling through a mass of burned and 

 fallen timber we found the pond. Trout were abundant, but, contrary 

 to our expectations, no birds could be obtained ; the gulls seen were ex- 

 ceedingly shy and did not venture within gun shot. A limited collec- 

 tion of small land birds was made. . . 



The weather on the 26th was generally clear and fairly pleasant, with 

 a west-northwest wind, which changed to north, veered to the south- 

 east, and finally became steady from the eastward. We got under way 



* The name of these islands suggested the possibility that they had formerly beeu 

 frequented by the great auk, known here as tho " pin- win," a corruption of Penguin. 



