Mount Desert loomed, a gray shadow against the western night gloom, fading fast before the dawn. Off the starboard bow I caught a glint of light and as the sloop drew onward I saw it came from a GUILLEMOT'S wing-patch reflecting the early sunlight. Soon another appeared and was instantly pursued by the ardent mate. She dove and her swain rose and flew a short distance, alighting about where he thot she would come to the surface. The game of tag went on for twenty minutes and it was interesting to see how accurately he followed her hidden course under water. Invariably she came up within a few feet of him and I suspect her eyes were on his shadow while she swam beneath. Coy little tricks are not unknown among females!
We sometimes ran into small bunches, when running for market in the Eva and Annie. The birds in white Winter dress, conspicuous against the green or gray sea, bobbed their heads swiftly and seemed uncertain whether to dive or take off. They usually went skittering aloft.
Coasts and islands of northeastern North America. South in Winter to Cape Cod.