DOUGLAS' JOURNAL 



Wednesday, llth. Cloudy, with heavy rain, wind, and thunder until 

 noon, when it cleared up for a short time. As the horses stood in need of 

 rest, having gone through much labour without much food, Mr. McLeod 

 thought it better to rest a day. I hung up my blanket and little clothing 

 to dry, which were drenched yesterday, and last night changed the papers 

 of specimens and seeds and exposed them to the sun. I had at three 

 o'clock proceeded to a small wood about a mile from my camp, when I 

 was obliged to return, the rain setting in. I found all my little paper 

 kindly secured in my tent by Mr. McLeod. Rain throughout the night. 



Thursday, 12th. Weather still unsteady, heavy showers during the 

 forenoon. Two of the horses having strayed to our last encampment, 

 we had to stay here all day. I took a walk north of the camp. Nothing 

 new came under my notice except a small partridge (very small), 10 inches 

 long, including the tail, which of itself is 2f ; back of a light dusky-brown ; 

 breast lead colour ; from the breast to the beak, of a dark red or rather 

 brick colour ; point of the feathers, white ; thighs and inside of the wings, 

 light brown ; beak, remarkably small ; crown of the head, lead colour, 

 with three black feathers in the crown 2 inches long ; from the under part 

 of the beak to the breast, purple red, with a narrow white streak the same 

 length extending from the upper part of the eye and round the back ; 

 legs, naked ; 8 to 12 ounces. This most curious little bird I learn inhabits 

 the upland dry low woods, and in the winter and spring are seen in flocks of 

 forty to a hundred together. Of the nest, eggs, and the number of young 

 I am for the present unable to say. Only five were in the flock and 

 probably one brood which I saw, and although I pursued diligently I was 

 unable to get a second shot. I regret exceedingly that this was so much 

 shattered, the upper beak and right leg being taken by the shot, being too 

 large. Otherwise I should have preserved it. As I have still 4 ounces of 

 small shot, I shall make a point of securing it. The people and horses 

 returned shortly before evening with the horses safe, so should the day be 

 fine we will march early in the morning. 



Friday, 13th. Very heavy dew during the night. Morning dull, close, 

 and foggy ; noon clear and fine. ' Thermometer 66. Fine bright sky in 

 the evening. Mr. McLeod started this morning, long ere daylight, in quest 

 of a herd of elk he had seen the evening before. After securing my little 

 gleanings I left at seven o'clock, and at nine came to a small rivulet that 

 takes its rise in the mountains to the east and discharges itself into the 

 Umpqua River, south of this about thirty-five or forty miles. Here I 

 found Baptist Mackay, who had gone before yesterday for the purpose of 

 hunting, where Mr. McLeod joined me shortly afterwards. They brought 

 two small deer, a male and female (entire), so I had an opportunity of 

 measuring them. Moving as I am, not more than one day in the same 

 camp, except detained by bad weather, it is beyond my power to preserve 

 them, a thing I much desire. The following are the dimensions of the 

 female : Head from the nose to the crown, 11 inches ; between the 

 eyes, 3 ; round the jaws, between the eyes and ears, 17 ; ear, 7 ; length 

 of the neck, 15. Girth at the smallest part, 13 ; length of the body, 31 ; 

 girth round the chest, 33 ; round the belly, 27. Foreleg depth of the 



