[23] OPERATIONS OF SCHOONER GRAMPUS. 513 



opinions as to the extermination, or otherwise, of certain species which 

 have special relations to the prosperity of the fisheries. 



Aside from the interest that may be felt by the naturalist in prevent- 

 ing the extinction of races of sea-birds, zoologically important and in- 

 teresting, the matter of preserving their breeding-places from destruc- 

 tion is one of no small moment to the fisherman. 



It is a well-known fact that for many years cod-fishermen upon the 

 great ocean banks depended to a considerable extent upon birds for a 

 bait supply. Among those thus utilized were gulls, terns, and other 

 species that breed on the northern coasts. 



It is not, perhaps, so well understood that fishermen often are bene- 

 fited by that instinct that sea-birds possess in a high degree, and which 

 enables them to quickly detect the presence of such fish as they prey 

 upon. The writer is familiar with the fact that fishermen are careful 

 observers of the movements of birds. The mackerel fisherman keenly 

 watches the actions of the gannet; notes its success when diving; draws 

 conclusions from the gathering flock as to the abundance of fish, and is 

 governed accordingly. Many a good catch of mackerel has been due 

 to information of the presence of large schools of that species thus im- 

 parted to the fisherman. 



The little " sea-goose" (Phalaropus) is also an object of interest to 

 the fisherman, who, though he may not have inquired why, has learned 

 that large flocks of this genus appearing on the fishing-ground may be 

 considered a "good sign" of the presence of mackerel. The " sign" is 

 due to the fact that the phalarope, which feeds largely upon copepods 

 and other small forms of marine life that constitute the favorite food of 

 mackerel, is liable to be where there is an abundance to eat, hence the 

 connection between the presence of birds and fish. 



No fisher-lad is too young not to have learned the meaning of 

 unusual noisy activity among sea-gulls and terns. There is no surer 

 indication of the approach to the coast of the loug-watched-for schools 

 of capelin, herring, or mackerel, the van-guards of which are thus 

 heralded by wiuged attendants. 



Sea-birds are often a source of food supply to the fishermen. This 

 was formerly much more frequently the case than now, for the wanton 

 destruction of both birds and eggs has materially reduced the produc- 

 tion of the most important rookeries. 



No bird, perhaps no animal, held a more important relation iu this 

 respect to the early American fisheries than the great auk. Indis- 

 criminately slaughtered by thousands, it made an important addition 

 to the fisherman's larder, until at last it yielded to the rapacious and 

 destructive agencies it was not fitted to withstand, and a most inter- 

 esting species was totally wiped out of existence. 



All that remains to-day in America of a once immeusely abundant 

 gigantic sea fowl is its burial-ground, and a few specimens of its eggs 

 and mounted skins that naturalists obtained before its annihilation. 

 H. Mis. 133—33 



