244 DOUGLAS' JOURNAL 



different from what I had seen. Killed a male grouse of the plain, a last 

 year's bird, and although neither so large nor well plumed as many I have 

 seen, I could not help skinning it, lest I should not get a better one. The 

 gizzard is large but smooth in comparison with others of the tribe. The 

 windpipe is exceedingly large, and strong (fully stronger than a goose). 

 Their voice I cannot learn. Saw two others, but could not secure either. 

 Camped on an island seven miles below the establishment of 

 "Wallawallah. 



Wednesday, 28th. Started at five and reached the establishment at 

 eleven, where we found our friends, who came overland and arrived there 

 last night. Stayed until three o'clock, during which time I changed what 

 few plants I had gleaned and put my grouse in order. Camped three 

 miles below Lewis and Clarke's River. Evening fine. 



Thursday, 29th. Morning dull and heavy. About an hour after we had 

 embarked three large flocks of grouse rose from the gravelly shore of the 

 river, but out of reach of my gun, that part of the river being shallow, 

 which prevented the boat from getting near them. Observed them in 

 groups of eight or ten, dancing, most likely holding their weddings. 

 Vegetation much later than last year. Lilium pudicum 1 the only plant in 

 blossom on the plains. Blue Mountains, where I was last year, enwrapped 

 in snow to their base. High south-westerly wind until noon. Camped 

 above the commencement of the clayey hills, seven miles. 



Friday, 30th. Heavy rain during last night, which continued until 

 mid-afternoon. Walked all day ; nothing worthy of notice occurred. 

 Saw three grouse which escaped, being unable to keep our guns dry. 

 Camped in the bend of the river, fifteen miles below the Priest Rapids- 

 Much fatigued and my feet painful from the gravel and shattered rocks, 

 having nothing but shoes of deerskin dressed that is, the hair off and 

 smoked with rotten wood. Had a fine camp : plenty of firewood, which 

 enabled us to dry our clothing. 



Saturday, 31st. Morning fine and pleasant. Crossed the river to the 

 low gravelly grounds below the rapid, which is thickly covered with 

 Tigarea 2 and Artemisia, where clouds of grouse were flying round us- 

 At this season they appear to be more shy than in the autumn. Observed 

 them in groups as before, dancing. The males spread the tail like a fan 

 and puff up their breast or pouches to as large a size as the whole body, 

 and like the pigeon singing their song, which I listened to with much 

 pleasure. The voice is ' hurr-r-r-r " hoo hurr-r-r-r " hoo,' a very hollow, 

 deep, melancholy sound. The female I have heard call only when rising 

 from the ground, which is ' Cack cack cack,' like the common pheasant. 

 The flesh is fine, but not so white as many others. Four cocks were killed, 

 two by Mr. McLeod with his rifle and two by myself with heavy shot : 

 all too much injured for preserving. Met Mr. A. McDonald from 

 Thomson's river, who returned with us to go to Okanagan. The river 

 being lower than ever it has been observed by Baptist Latand, the 

 guide, considerable difficulty was experienced dragging the boat over 



1 Fritillaria pudica, Baker, in Journ. Linn. Soc. xiv. p. 267. 



2 Purshia, Benth. and Hook, f . Gen. PL i. p. 617. 



