NORTHERN OCEAN. 449 
and fifh-fpawn; and their flefh is by. no means 
efteemed good, though their eggs are not difa- 
greeable.. ‘The Mallard and Long-tailed Duck 
vifit Hudfon’s Bay in great numbers, and extend 
from the fea-coait, to the remoteft Weftern parts, 
and near Cumberland Houfe are found in vatt 
multitudes. ‘At their firft arrival on the fea-coaft, 
they are exceeding good eating; but when in 
a moulting ftate, though very fat, they are in ge- 
neral fo rank that few Europeans are fond of 
them. At thofe feafons the difference in flavour 
is eafily known by the colour of the fat; for when 
that is white, the flefh is moft afluredly good ; 
but when it is yellow, or of an orange colour, it 
is very rank and fifhy. ‘This difference is only 
peculiar to thofe that frequent and breed near the 
fea-coaft; for in the interior parts I never knew 
them killed but their flefh was very good; and 
the young Mallard Duck before it can fly is very 
fat, and moft delicate eating. The fame may be 
faid of the Long-tailed Duck. Neither of thofe 
{pecies lay more than fix or eight eggs in common, 
and frequently bring them all forth, 
Wincron. ‘This {pecies of Duck is very un- Witsee. 
common in Hudfon’s Bay; ufually keeping in 
pairs, and being feldom feen in flocks. hey 
are by no means fo numerous as the two former, 
and are moft frequently feen in rivers and mar- 
fhes near the fea-coaft. heir fleth is generally 
efteemed ; and the down of thofe I have exa- 
mined is little inferior in elafticity to that of the 
Gg Eider, 
