I think I may venture to assert, that sea and water fowls are neither in such numbers, nor in such variety, as with us in the northern parts of the Atlantic Ocean.  There are some, however, here, that I do not remember to have seen any where else; particularly the alca monochroa of Steller, before mentioned; and a black and white duck, which I conceive to be different from the stone-duck described by Krascheninicoff.[19] All the other birds seen by us are mentioned by this author, except some that we met with near the ice; and most, if not all, of these, are described by Martin in his voyage to Greenland.  It is a little extraordinary, that penguins, which are common in many parts of the world, should not be found in this sea.  Albatrosses too are so very scarce, that I cannot help thinking that this is not their proper climate.

[Footnote 19:  History of Kamtschatka.  Eng.  Trans. p. 160.]

The few land birds that we met with are the same with those in Europe; but there may be many others which we had no opportunity of knowing.  A very beautiful bird was shot in the woods at Norton Sound, which, I am told, is sometimes found in England, and known by the name of Chatterer.  Our people met with other small birds there, but in no great variety and abundance; such as the wood pecker, the bullfinch, the yellow finch, and a small bird called a tit-mouse.

As our excursions and observations were confined wholly to the sea-coast, it is not to be expected, that we could know much of the animals or vegetables of the country.  Except musquitoes, there are few other insects; nor reptiles, that I saw, but lizards.  There are no deer upon Oonalashka, or upon any other of the islands.  Nor have they any domestic animals, not even dogs.  Foxes and weasels were the only quadrupeds we saw; but they told us, that they had hares also, and the marmottas mentioned by Krascheninicoff.[20] Hence it is evident, that the sea and rivers supply the greatest share of food to the inhabitants.  They are also obliged to the sea for all the wood made use of for building, and other necessary purposes; for not a stick grows upon any of the islands, nor upon the adjacent coast of the continent.

[Footnote 20:  History of Kamtschatka, p. 99.]

The learned tell us, that the seeds of plants are, by various means, conveyed from one part of the world to another, even to islands in the midst of great oceans, and far remote from any other land.  How comes it to pass, that there are no trees growing on this part of the continent of America, nor any of the islands lying near it?  They are certainly as well situated for receiving seeds, by all the various ways I have heard of, as any of those coasts are that abound in wood.  May not nature have denied to some soil the power of raising trees, without the assistance of art?  As to the drift-wood upon the shores of the islands, I have no doubt that it comes from America.  For although there may be none on the neighbouring coast, enough may grow farther up the country, which torrents in the spring may break loose, and bring down to the sea.  And not a little may be conveyed from the woody coasts, though they lie at a greater distance.[21]