CHAP. ii. LATENESS OF THE SPRING IN MOISIE BAY. 17 



forth its delicate green leaves, but the larch scarcely 

 showed any indications of returning vigour. In damp 

 and shady nooks, the ferns were still cautiously unfolding 

 their earliest fronds, and on the willows, half bathed in 

 the flood, hung the catkins of spring in the Moisie Bay. 



' How late the season appears to be here,' I remarked 

 to the guide. 



' The ice only left the Bay during the last week in 

 May,' he replied : ' but the winds from the sea keep the 

 trees back ; at the Eapids we shall find them coming well 

 into leaf. Those Brent geese* are going to the lakes, 

 and perhaps to Ashwanipi ; the Indians who know the 

 upper country tell me they will find it full of ice even 

 now,' he continued, as a small flock flew high above us 

 towards the north ; ' but we are sure to meet Domenique, 



* The Brent Goose (Anser Bernida). Audubon tells us that 'The 

 "Brent Goose" may be considered as a salt- water bird, for it never ascends 

 our rivers beyond the influence of the tides, nor is found on inland lakes or 

 ponds, unless it be wounded, and happens to alight accidentally in such 

 places. To this natural predilection for salt water may be attributed its 

 habit of flying round the projections of capes and headlands. It very seldom 

 passes over a neck of land, unless suddenly surprised and alarmed by the 

 gunner.' 



These remarks probably apply only to the habits of the Brent goose south 

 of New Brunswick. From information derived on the spot, I learned that 

 this bird is not seen much farther eastward than Mingan, on the north shore 

 of the Gulf. They are found on all parts of the coast between Mingan 

 and the Saugenay, where they arrive about April 20, and remain ten or 

 twelve days. They go inland, and breed on the upper lakes, or cross over 

 to Hudson's Bay. They come from the interior, with the other species of 

 geese, about September 15, remain about a month, then strike direct to 

 the south shore of the St. Lawrence, or to the island of Anticosti, where 

 they congregate in large numbers, before their winter flight towards the 

 south. The flesh of the Brent goose is very rich and juicy. Several of these 

 birds were shot in the rear of the Moisie Bay during the first and second 

 weeks of June 1861 . Salmon and Brent geese are found in perfection iu 

 Moisie Bay. 



VOL. I. C 



