A MUSK-OX KILLED. 401 



able alteration in the position of the ice within 

 the last twenty-four hours. It still adhered to 

 both shores, from N.W. by W. to N. E. § E., 

 the former ridges unfortunately being nearly 

 abreast of our encampment. These were the 

 extremes ; but the main and central portion had 

 opened in the shape of the letter V, to the width 

 of from ten to twelve miles to the northward and 

 westward; thus encouraging the expectation 

 that it would yet be forced out as soon as the 

 effect was felt to seaward. 



To divert the attention of the men, who, hav- 

 ing nothing to do, remembered that they would 

 have to ascend the numerous falls and rapids 

 they had come down, and began to magnify 

 the difficulty, and even to talk of the im- 

 practicability of the task, I sent them all after 

 a musk-ox, which I had by chance discovered 

 feeding under the lee of some high rocks, and 

 which was eventually killed. It was a young 

 cow ; and, being devoid of the disagreeable 

 flavour of the older animals, afforded us two 

 luxurious meals. Mr. King shot a red-breasted 

 phalarope, only two of which kind had before 

 been found in a swamp near the Rock Rapid. 

 The island, indeed, was literally covered with 

 plover, black-breasted and brown phalaropes, 

 and a sort of large brown duck with plumage not 

 unlike that of the hen pheasant. These last were 



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