1883.] 395 [Brewster. 



pressive. The top of the rock appeared like a stretch of burnt 

 ground covered with patches of snow, the black areas being Cor- 

 morants, the white ones, Gulls. Although over the greater part 

 of the surface the two birds were pretty evenly intermingled, 

 the Cormorants in places sat crowded together in sable masses of 

 considerable extent, wdiile in others the Gulls formed beds of 

 shining white. So completely was the rock covered by birds 

 that its own color was scarcely anywhere apparent. 



On this elevated stronghold the Cormorants lay their eggs and 

 rear their young in perfect security. 1 Shortly after sunrise 

 thousands of the adults leave for their fishing grounds in Bay 

 Chaleur and Gaspe Bay, the greater number departing in a few 

 large flocks. Through the day single birds and small companies 

 are continually passing to and fro, but the general return move- 

 ment does not begin until nearly sunset wdien, for half an hour 

 or more, there is a steady stream pouring in from two directions 

 and meeting at the home rookery. The incoming flocks regularly 

 skirt the entire southern edge of the island and make a half wheel 

 on set wings before alighting, but single birds fly directly in from 

 any direction and alight at once. At this time of the day the 

 flocks comprise from twenty to one hundred individuals. They 

 fly at a height of about fifty yards above the water, either in a 

 broad extended front, or in v-shaped ranks like Geese. 



While in Gaspe Bay we frequently observed these Cormorants 

 fishing near our vessel. They reminded me of Loons both in their 

 general appearance, as they swam with the body partially sub- 

 merged, and in their manner of diving. They disappeared be- 

 neath the water like a flash of light, springing nearly clear of the 

 surface and then cleaving it so deftly that they scarcely made a 

 ripple. 



75. Stercorarius parasiticus, Brunn. — Richardson's Jaeger. 

 A single specimen was seen, July 20, near Mingan Harbor. 



76. Larus marinus, Linn. — Great Black-backed Gull. 



A few Black-backed Gulls were obtained in Gaspe Bay, but none 



1 Many years ago there was a sloping place, long since fallen into the sea, by which 

 a daring climber reached the top; but in returning laden with eggs, he missed his 

 footing and perished. A statute, passed shortly after this accident and said to be 

 still in force, forbids any one from attempting to climb the rock under a penalty of 

 five pounds. 



