Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/407

Rh stem. These birds use their wings vigorously to propel themselves under water. It was observable that the individuals in a diving flock kept their relative distances and bearings under water with as much correctness as if on the wing, and all returned to the surface within a second of one another. During the breeding season the pouch-like enlargement of the cheeks gives them a singular appearance. The contents of the cheeks is a reddish coloured substance, which on closer examination is found to con- sist of immense numbers of minute Crustacea. The adaptation of the mouth in this species, as a receptacle for the food required for their young, does not appear to have attracted much attention among naturalists; and yet a little consideration would have shown that some such arrangement must be required. With fish- feeders, such as Alca, Uria, and Fratercula, no difficulty arises in transporting food to their young; but in the case of Mergulus alle, which I believe subsists entirely on minute Crustacea, the bill is manifestly incapable of conveying the requisite amount of food, especially as very often the breeding places of the Little Auk are found inland, at considerable distances from the sea. This bird does not appear to be possessed of great powers of flight, or capable of making head-way against a gale : this will account for its having often been picked up in an exhausted condition far inland. In autumn Little Auks were migrating southwards in immense numbers from Davis Strait: probably these flocks were bound for the Labrador and Newfoundland coasts, for I did not observe them later on during that voyage in the Atlantic to the eastward of the longitude of Cape Farewell.

The Cary Islands were reached on July 27th. As it was deter- mined to land a depot of provisions on the south-eastern island of the group, we had an opportunity for a run on shore. Eider Ducks, with their young, Little Auks, Dovekies, and a colony of Glaucous Gulls, which latter nested on a steep cliff, were all the species of birds met with. The ascent to the breeding place of these Gulls was somewhat difficult: the ledges were covered with the ordure and castings of the birds, and the remains of Little Auks. The old Gulls, numbering some twenty pairs, attacked me vigorously, their boldness and cries increasing when the ledge was reached, on which about a dozen young Gulls were running about. Seizing a couple of young birds by their necks I attempted to descend ; but they were so vigorous, and used their feet and wings with such force, that it was necessary to let one go, to avoid