THE FOOLISH GUILLEMOT. 
151 
must lead you, good reader, as there we can with ease study the habits of 
these birds. 
Stay on the deck of the Ripley by my side this clear and cold morning. 
See how swiftly scuds our gallant bark, as she cuts her way through the 
foaming billows, now inclining to the right and again to the left. Far in the 
east, dark banks of low clouds indicate foul weather to the wary mariner, 
who watches the approach of a northern storm with anxiety. Suddenly the 
wind changes ; but for this he has prepared ; the topsails are snugged to their 
yards, and the rest are securely reefed. A thick fog obscures all around us. 
The waters, suddenly checked in their former course, furiously war against 
those which now strike them in front. The uproar increases, the bark is 
tossed on every side ; now a sweeping wave rushes against the bows, the 
vessel quivers, while down along her deck violently pour the waters, rolling 
from side to side, seeking for a place by which they may escape. At this 
moment all about you are in dismay save the Guillemots. The sea is 
covered with these intrepid navigators of the deep. Over each tumultuous 
billow they swim unconcerned on the very spray at the bow of the vessel, 
and plunging as if with pleasure, up they come next moment at the rudder. 
Others fly around in large circles, while thousands contend with the breeze, 
moving directly against it in long lines, towards regions unknown to all, 
save themselves and some other species of sea birds. 
The Guillemots pair during their migration ; — many of them at least do 
so. While on my way toward Labrador, they were constantly within sight, 
gambolling over the surface of the water, the males courting the females, and 
the latter receiving the caresses of their mates. These would at times rise 
erect in the sea, swell their throats, and emit a hoarse puffing guttural note, 
to which the females at once responded, with numerous noddings to their 
beaux. Then the pair would rise, take a round in the air, re-alight, and seal 
the conjugal compact ; after which they flew or swam together for the season, 
and so closely, that among multitudes on the wing or on the waves, one 
might easily distinguish a mated pair. 
Not far from Great Macatina Harbour lie the Murre Rocks, consisting of 
several low islands, destitute of vegetation, and not rising high from the 
waters. There thousands of Guillemots annually assemble in the beginning 
of May, to deposit each its single egg, and raise its young. As you approach 
these islands, the air becomes darkened with the multitudes of birds that fly 
about ; every square foot of the ground seems to be occupied by a Guillemot 
planted erect as it were on the granite rock, but carefully warming its 
cherished egg. All look toward the south, and if you are fronting them, the 
snowy white of their bodies produces a very remarkable effect, for the birds 
at some distance look as if they were destitute of head, so much does that 
