APPENDIX. 311 



• 



Instantly all the sitting birds rise and fly off affrighted to 

 their companions above, and hover in dismay over their 

 assassins, who walk forward exultingly, and with their 

 shouts mingling oaths and execrations. Look at them ! 

 See how they crush the chick within its shell, how they 

 trample on every egg in the way, with their huge and 

 clumsy boots. Onward they go, and when they leave 

 the isle not an egg that they can find is left entire. The 

 dead birds they collect and carry to the boat. Now they 

 have regained their filthy shallop ; they strip the birds 

 by a single jerk of their feathery apparel, while the flesh 

 is yet warm, and throw them on some coals, where, in 

 a short time, they are broiled. The rum is produced 

 when the guillemots are fit for eating, and after stuffing 

 themselves with this oily fare, and enjoying the plea- 

 sures of beastly intoxication, over they tumble on the 

 deck of their crazed craft, where they pass the short 

 hours of night in turbid slumber. 



" The sun now rises abpve the snow-clad summit of 

 the eastern mount — 



' Sweet is the breath of morn,' 



even in this desolate land. The gay bunting erects his 

 white crest, and gives utterance to the joy he. feels in 

 the presence of his brooding mate. The willow 

 grouse on the rock crows his challenge aloud. Each 

 floweret, chilled by the night air, expands its pure 

 petals ; the gentle breeze shakes from the blades of grass 

 the heavy dew drops. On the Guillemot Isles, the birds 

 have again settled, and now renew their loves. Startled 

 by the light of day, one of the eggers springs on his feet 

 and rouses his companions, who stare around them for 

 awhile, endeavoring to recollect their senses. Mark 

 them, as with clumsy fingers they clear away their 

 drowsy eyes! Slowly they rise on their feet. See how 

 the filthy lubbers stretch out their arms and yawn ; you 

 shrink back, for verily, ' that throat might frighten a 

 shark.' 



" But the master, soon recollecting that so many eggs 

 are worth a dollar or a crown, casts his eye towards the 



