BRADORE BAY AND PERROQUET ISLAND 



As we squared away from Bonne Esp^rance, 

 three porpoises appeared on our windward side 

 and accompanied us for over an hour. At times 

 they came close to us, pushing their backs and 

 long, backward-curving fins out of the green 

 water amid a shower of spray, and display- 

 ing their white flanks, which contrasted well 

 with their lead-colored backs. As we watched 

 them, we were startled to see one suddenly 

 turn at right angles to his course and advance 

 under water — his trail plainly visible as a 

 light-green line — directly towards our little 

 schooner. I could not help thinking of a tor- 

 pedo discharged from a submarine, and held 

 my breath, momentarily expecting the shock of 

 contact. The porpoise, however, passed harm- 

 lessly beneath the schooner and shortly after 

 was seen returning. This performance occurred 

 again and again, and was no doubt a form of 

 play or game on the part of those great beasts. 

 It was so interesting that even the botanist 

 was aroused from his state of introspection, 

 occasioned by the rough water, and "sat up 

 and took notice." 



The birds seen in this traverse were few: a 

 dozen or more razor-billed auks flew about the 



