214 



occasion. It begins to build early : I observed a pair col- 

 lecting materials for a nest on the 18th of March, although 

 the ground was covered at the time with five or six feet depth 

 of snow. The Lesser Redpoll, and two species of Parus are 

 also winter residents, which is astonishing, as the ther- 

 mometer often sinks to 50 degrees below zero. One kind of 

 Falcon, the Falco palumbarius, also remained all the year at 

 the place where I first resided during the winter, on Baptiste 

 River, about 60 or 80 miles from the Rocky Mountains: 

 also the Snow Bunting, [Ember iza nivalis,) and a kind of 

 Water Ouzel, very similar to the British species, but without 

 the white breast. Those birds which are migratory, quit 

 this part of the country about the beginning of October, and 

 reappear in the latter end of April. One of the first to 

 return is the JVhite Headed Eagle, and then follow the Ducks 

 and Geese, with a whole host of small birds. The only 

 songster is a species of Turdus, called by the Canadians the 

 Robin ; it resembles the common thrush, except in having a 

 reddish breast. In the spring of 1826, immense flocks of the 

 Bohemicm or Waxen Chatterer were observed feeding on the 

 berries of Arbutus Uva-ursi, but I do not think that they 

 breed here, although a small flock of them was seen on the 

 south branch of the Saskatchawan in June 1827. 



The snow-shoe travelling, and the mode of encamping 

 during winter has been so frequently described, that it is 

 quite unnecessary for me to detail them here. One of the 

 principal inducements for fixing upon any particular situation 

 is when it affords dry wood in abundance. The snow is 

 then cleared away with the assistance of the snow-shoes, and 

 trees of a large size having been felled, they are divided into 

 lengths fit for carrying. You may then, after lighting a fire 

 collect a parcel of pine branches, the white spruce and 

 balsam if procurable, are the best, with which a space is 

 covered sufficient for a bed, and proceed to prepare supper. 

 Pemmican is the best and most convenient food to be carried 

 upon a journey. Without a pound of this and a little tea, 

 no one should think of travelling in these desert wilds; it 

 affords an excellent meal, and the hunter may afterwards 



