Brewster.] 406 [October 3, 



costi, and everywhere along the North Shore. Like the Common 

 Loon it frequented sheltered bays and channels along the coast, 

 but we were assured that it breeds exclusively in fresh water ; a 

 statement which is probably true, for we often saw the birds pass- 

 ing over the woods between inland lakes and the sea. They us- 

 ually flew in pairs and often at a considerable height, croaking 

 hoarsely at intervals. This croak is by no means their only note. 

 On calm mornings the male sometimes indulges in a prolonged 

 outburst of harsh, discordant cries, which are uttered with such 

 volubility and variety of intonation that one might imagine a 

 dozen birds to be engaged. This performance reminded me of 

 the clamor of a flock of Geese. It was evidently the Loon's mas- 

 terpiece, for during its production he would sail proudly about 

 on the water with erect head and swelling plumage. It was so 

 loud that it could be heard at a distance of a mile or more. 



The Red-throated Diver is a much tamer bird than the Common 

 Loon, and we found no difficulty in obtaining good flying shots by 

 stationing ourselves at places where they were in the habit of 

 passing. The adult birds, however, cannot be easily approached 

 when on the water. 



87. Fratercula arctica, Linn. — Common Puffin. 



We saw a few Puffins at sea off the Nova Scotia coast, but they 

 were not met with in the Gulf until we reached the Magdalens, 

 where a considerable colony was found breeding on Bryon Island, 

 and a still larger one at Bird Rocks. Afterwards we observed 

 them at Wreck Bay, Anticosti, and on Perroquet Island near Min- 

 gan Harbor, where many thousands were breeding after the us- 

 ual manner in holes burrowed in the sandy loam. The breeding 

 place on Bryon Island was of a different, and, as far as I can learn, 

 exceptional character. The northern end of the island is bounded 

 by cliffs of sandstone and stratified clay, pierced by innumerable 

 pocket-shaped holes and narrow, horizontal Assures. In places 

 the sea beats directly against the base of the precipice, but there 

 is usually a sloping shore formed by huge blocks and crumbling 

 piles of sandstone fallen from above. For a distance of a mile or 

 more along this cliff Puffins were breeding in company with Razor- 

 oilled Auks and Black Guillemots. Many of the Puffins had dug 

 their nesting holes in the piles of debris near the waters' edge, 

 but by far the greater number occupied natural crevices in the 



