of them in a loose bunch travelling together, and if they had not been going the other way, I doubt if I would have given them a second glance. Long, tapered wings like a glider, dark above and white below, with a dark collar over the neck was all I could make out before they disap— peared below the crest of a towering wave. They were of the same general shape as the gannets but only about half the size. There was only one bird I knew that fit the description...Greater Shearwater! I could not believe my good fortune. Within the space of two hours I had seen four of the seven pelagic species that I thought I had a chance of seeing on my planned boat trip. And all from the comfort of a warm car seat. I finally had to give up my seawatch about noon, having run out of windshield washer fluid trying to keep the salt off the front window. The birds were mostly gone by then though, with the gannets down to a trickle and the wind dropping off somewhat, but still blowing a respectable gale. Despite being a little disappointed that the need for a ferry trip had been rendered academic by the gale, I was quite satisfied to say the least. I had saved $30 on boat fare, added three species to my P.E.I. list, and when I thought about it, I realized I probably would have been sea— sick on the ferry anyway. (If indeed it sailed at all that day.) Except for irish moss gatherers, and fishermen who had to seek shelter for their boats, I doubt if the gale will long linger in anyone's mind as being of major importance. As for myself, I have arbitrarily dubbed it the Cable Head Gale, and will always remember it it as the day I went pel— agic birding from my car.

Note: Webster's dictionary, by the way, defines a gale as a wind be- tween 32 and 63 miles an hour. The Beaufort scale indicates winds from 47 to 54 mph constitute a strong gale, with winds over 54-and up to 63 mph making a whole gale.

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It's getting near that time again. NHS members can renew their mem- berships for 1987 in January or as soon as possible. We're also looking for new members, and you can help by giving someone a gift membership. It makes a great gift and who knows what it might start. You can see Margaret at the next NHS meeting, or drop her a note >AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. at the address in the box. Thanks very much.

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RENEWAL, NEW MEMBERSHIP, OR GIFT MEMBERSHIP Just send in a piece of paper the size of this box. GIVE: Name Mailing Address Postal Code Telephone Number Rates: Regular - $4; Student - $2; Family - $5

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