As the sloop drew in toward one of the outer islands of Casco Bay, a Hampton left the cove. The first object I saw was a large basket of raspberries carefully poised on a rock. Evidently the departed crew had forgotten it. They were fully half a mile away — the dusk was looming over the eastern sea. Should I start after them and return the treasure or? — a neat question of ethics. While debating, a dark bird fluttered from almost beneath my feet and in an attempt to discover what lay hidden in the home — decision on the berry question was postponed. The GUILLEMOTS' nest was too well placed for investigation but next morning I saw two little ebony feather balls follow their parents out to sea.
I have seen a few of these birds off Cape Cod but they are essentially a non-migratory species and take cold or storm with the same carefree attitude with which they accept the Summer days of our north New England coast.
Coasts of eastern North America from Greenland and Ungava to Maine.