332 
GREENLAND VOYAGE. 
respecting the birds frequenting this region, may 
be admissible. As soon as the ice begins to clear 
away, the coast is visited by prodigious quantities 
of birds, particularly roaches or little auks, which 
find here in the water, not only an abundant sup¬ 
ply of shrimps and other insects suitable for 
their food, but on the land, that quietness and 
warmth that are congenial to their habits, and 
suitable for their necessities at the time of incu¬ 
bation. They get to the coast probably in May 
or June; and leave it towards the end of August 
or beginning of September. They then migrate 
to the southward, taking advantage of a northerly 
gale for assisting their flight. 
The migration of aquatic birds may be easy, 
because they can rest, when necessary, by the way. 
But how such small birds as the plover, red-pole, 
ice-bird, &c. accomplish the passage, is difficult to 
explain. It is evident, that when these birds are 
on their way, if a change of wind should occur, in 
such a direction as to keep them oft' the coast to 
which their flight is directed, they must perish. 
We often, indeed, in the spring of the year, ob¬ 
serve these birds alighting about our ships as we 
approach the ice or arctic lands; and not unfre- 
quently find them in a state so exhausted by fa¬ 
tigue or want, as to permit themselves to be 
caught, and taken up alive. 
