675 
of Edinburgh, Session 1879-80. 
Following these discoveries chronologically, we now come to the 
visit of Mr John Milne to the Funk Islands in 1874, an account of 
which was contributed by that gentleman to the “ Field ” newspaper, 
hut afterwards published in a separate form. In this paper, entitled 
“Kelics of the Great Auk on Funk Island,” Mr Milne has given a 
most interesting description of the Island and its feathered inhabit- 
ants ; and as hut few persons possess a copy of the pamphlet on 
account of its scarcity, no apology seems necessary for giving a short 
extract from the author’s narrated experiences on this old dwelling- 
place of the Penguin. 
“ At the distance of half a mile the island looked not unlike a 
smooth-bottomed upturned saucer, slightly elongated into an 
ellipsoidal form towards its north-eastern extremity, from which end 
it sloped more gradually up from the sea than it did from its opposite 
end. As we drew near a few irregularities could he seen along its 
northern half, which afterwards we found to he heaps of large 
boulders. Immediately in front of us there was a small cliff, in a 
crevice of which, we understood, was the usual place of landing. To 
get ashore at this point — which, as a rule, is the most accessible on 
the island — is a matter of difficulty. First the boat is rowed alongside 
the cliff, on the face of which there is a ledge leading to higher ground 
The next thing is to balance yourself upon one of the seats or 
thwarts of the boat whilst it rises, falls, and rolls upon the ever 
heaving swell. You now wait your chance until you think yourself 
sufficiently high for a spring. You make it, but it must be without 
hesitation, and you are landed on your perch. A short scramble, 
and you are upon the high ground, gazing down at your com- 
panions, expanding and contracting as they rise and fall upon 
the waves, balancing themselves like acrobats whilst waiting to 
follow your example. However, we were saved from this exhi- 
bition of agility by finding a comparatively smooth corner a little 
further to the north, where, under a shrieking and wailing cloud 
of birds, one by one we jumped ashore and clambered to a secure 
foothold.” 
******* 
“On the island are several remains of rough stone-wmrk. These, 
in fact are said to have been used by the now extinct aborigines of 
Newfoundland, and also by sailors in later times as pens, into which 
