430 NOTES OF AN EGGING EXPEDITION TO SHOAL LAKE. 



on small, ijravelly islands. These form their nests by removing the gravel, 

 making hollows in which they lay their eggs; others of them take up their abode 

 among the reeds and rushes. Here with great industry and ingenuity they make 

 their nests of reeds and grass, fixing them in their place to keep them from float- 

 ing away. When in Lake Winnipeg, in 1862, I observed that the terns which 

 occupied sandy and gravelly islands made their nests as those do on the gravelly 

 islands in Hlioal lake ; and the terns found on the rocky island on the east side ■ 

 of the lake cliose for their nests depressions and clefts in the surface of the rocks. 

 These they line carefully with moss, three or four eggs being laid in each nest; 

 thus exhibiting a remarkable example of instinct, Avhich teaches these little crea- 

 tures that their eggs laid in soft sand and in loose gravel are safe without any 

 lining to protect them, but that wdien laid in hollows and clefts of rocks, lining 

 to protect their eggs and young from injury by these hard and at night cold 

 materials would be indispensable. 



All i-ound the lake there is an abundance of wood, with many fine, open plains 

 in every direction, offering great facilities and promising rich rewards to the 

 industry of the husbandman. 'J'he only drawback in the way of making settle- 

 ments at this lake is its bitter, disagreeable water. 



After a stay of ten days at Shoal lake we set out early in the morning for 

 the Pitoo-Winnipeg Manitowaba. We found a well-defined cart road leading to 

 Oak point. On our way we met a young half-breed from the bay going to Grebe 

 bay. He had his "dug-out" on a cart drawn by an ox. He stated that his 

 object in going there was to hunt muskrats and collect as many eggs of all kinds 

 as he could, to take home to eat. As these people neither sow nor reap, they 

 have to sul>sist on what the seasons afford. After travelling for 10 or 11 hours 

 over a dry, level road, Ave arrived at Oak point in the afternoon. Here we stopped 

 a short time to dine and give our cattle time to feed and rest. Afterwards we 

 proceeded to the lake, Avhere we saw great numbers of those beautiful birds, the 

 Franklin gully, soaring over the water near the shore, and at short intervals 

 plunging in to seize their prey. We could have secured numbers of them if Ave 

 had had stuffing material. The folloAving days Ave hunted in marsh, but found 

 A'ery few gull eggs. We procured some duck nests, and among them Avere tAvo 

 AfJiai/a Americana, (red-head ducks' nests,) one containing eight eggs, the other 

 19. When I Avas there in 1865 Ave found one belonging to the same kind of 

 duck containing 19 or 20 ogg». The Indians accuse this duck of dishonesty, 

 stating it to have \'ery little respect for the rights of property, being inclined to 

 rob other ducks of their eggs and place them in its own nest. This species and 

 the canvas-back are both found at Shoal lake and at ManitOAvaba, but noAvhere 

 in great numbers. 



While here I Avas attacked by a cutaneous disease, which affected my eyes 

 A'cry painfully. After a residence of three days Ave turned our faces homeward. 

 The morning Avas fine and bright ; in the afternoon the clouds gathered fast 

 from the south. The night overtook us before Ave crossed the plain at the south 

 end of Bhoal lake. We found some Avater for ourseh'es and cattle, and laid 

 down to rest under one of our carts. Soon the rain began to pom- down in tor- 

 rents, the Avind blew hard, driA-ing the rain through all our defences, and in a 

 short time blankets and clothing began to communicate anything but a pleasant 

 sensation to our chilled frames. But the night Avas dark, and Ave had to keep 

 our post until daylight, cA'cry moment expecting that tiie lightning Avould strike 

 our cart and most probably terminate our journey ; and, unfortunately, our speci- 

 mens got Avet and considerably injured. We attached our oxen to the carts and 

 Avere moving off before sunrise. At 8 o'clock Ave halted at the Big ridge ; Avhile 

 there the sun began at times to peep through the broken clouds, the rain ceased, 

 and at last the sky became clear and the air Avarm. The road Avas in many 

 places coA'ered with ponds of water, rendering the traA^elling slow' and unpleasant. 

 At noon Ave halted at the Big swamp, had dinner, and afterAvards resumed our 



