A journal of a voyage of discovery to the Arctic regions in His Majesty's ships Hecla and Griper, in the years 1819 and 1820 / By Alexander Fisher.

  • Fisher, Alexander
Date:
1821
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A journal of a voyage of discovery to the Arctic regions in His Majesty's ships Hecla and Griper, in the years 1819 and 1820 / By Alexander Fisher. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    A bird resembling a snipe was also seen to-day, but we had such an imperfect view of him that it was -impossible to determine what species he be-. longed to. Wednesday, 2d. — The weather has been ra- ther boisterous the whole of this-day; in the after- noon in particular it blew a strong gale of wind, which soon rose a heavy sea; and, if we are to put any confidence in an augury, which seamen always regard as a sure indication of bad weather, we may anticipate a heavy gale very soon. The augury I allude to is the appearance this afternoon of a flock of Mother Carey’s Chickens, or Stormy Peterels, (Procellaria Pelagica, Lin.) under the ship’s stern. These birds have always been considered by sailors as the harbingers of storms; and if the reports on record concerning them be true, they certainly de- serve the mariner’s notice. Although not the bearers of welcome intelligence, yet they warn him of the _approaching storm, it issaid, sometimes even six hours -before it happens. ‘Their appearing so long as this before the coming on of bad weather, may be regarded im some measure as a proof of their possessing some instinct, through which they are aware of the change that is about to ensue; unless we admit (which I think is not improbable), that their coming to ships is a matter of mere chance, whilst flying from the rage of the tempest that prevails, but at such a dis- tance that it requires hours to reach the vessels. As far, however, as my own observation goes, I cannot bring to my recollection any instance where they were seen before a gale commenced, or at least be- fore such. apparent indications of it were seen, as
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