[37] OPERATIONS OF SCHOONER GRAMPUS. 527 



affording an excellent opportunity to note the flocks of hagdons and the 

 relative numbers of each species. 



The birds appeared to be gorged with food, which was probably the 

 case, since they had doubtless been feeding to repletion on capelin that 

 were abundant along the coast. With rare exceptions, the flocks sat 

 quietly upon the water, unless disturbed by the approach of the vessel. 

 But I noted that the birds were exceptionally shy. This was remark- 

 able, for the hagdon, especially P. major, is generally easy to approach, 

 and When hungry is quite indifferent to the presence of man or boat, at 

 least it will venture within a few feet of either. On this occasion, find- 

 ing it difficult to get within gunshot with the vessel, the attempt was 

 made to approach the flocks in a boat, but this failed, as did the effort 

 to attract the birds with cod-livers. It was, therefore, evident that the 

 "hags" were sated with food, and the fact was demonstrated beyond 

 doubt that these species, which are among the most daring and venture- 

 some of all wild fowl when prompted by a desire for food, appreciate the 

 danger of the near approach of man and grow circumspect, if not timid, 

 in exact proportion as their stomachs become filled. 



Hagdons were quite frequently seen from Cape Race to the Strait of 

 Belle Isle, but nowhere in such abundance as between Cape Eace and 

 Cape Pine ; indeed, they were generally scarce and sometimes rare. In 

 all cases, however, the black hagdons seemed proportionately more 

 numerous than I have ever seen them on the banks, and the inference 

 would be that this species prefers to remain near the coast. 



8. ICEBERGS. 



On July 16 an iceberg was seen about 5 miles to the southward of 

 Cape Pine, apparently aground. I estimated that it was about 50 feet 

 high above the water. 



, On July 20 a large berg was seen north of Baccalieu Island. The 

 same evening two large bergs were passed about 2 or 3 miles north of 

 Gull Island off' Cape Bouavista. These bergs were estimated to be 

 about 50 to 60 feet high, and apparently were grounded. There were 

 evidences that one had recently rolled over, as there were marks of the 

 bottom upon its sides, and masses of broken ice drifting to leeward. 

 Several small bergs were seen the same day off Catalina Harbor. 



On July 22 and 23 several small bergs were seen in the vicinity of 

 Funk Island, north of it, and one or two between Funk Islands and 

 Fogo Island. The height of these was estimated to vary from 15 to 40 

 feet. 



Between July 26 and 29 scattering bergs were seen between Fogo 

 Island and Canada Bay. On the morning that we left Touliuguet, 

 July 28, we passed two icebergs off West Shag Rock, and later passed 

 another and larger berg north-northwest (mag.) from Touliuguet light. 

 Saw a moderate-sized berg east-northeast from Cape St. John's. It 

 was close inshore and apparently aground. 



