THE PHYSIOGRAPHY OF LABRADOR 79 



September. Hooks and lines replace the large trap nets, 

 as the cod are now only to be taken in deep water. Northern 

 schooners begin to come south with cargoes of green fish. 

 The first snow falls about Cape Chidley, and frosts set in 

 occasionally at nights. Deer are to be had in the country. 

 Geese and black duck are seeking the salt water in the day- 

 time, and may be shot flighting. The mosquitoes are no 

 longer troublesome. Grouse are to be shot on the hills, 

 and afford excellent sport. Small migratory birds begin 

 to leave. Berries are plentiful and add materially to a 

 camper's menu. Caribou leave the hills for the marshes. 

 All together, this is the best month for sportsmen to visit 

 Labrador, except for salmon-fishing. 



October. The southern fishermen mostly leave. Pleasure 

 schooners must do the same. Fish are still to be taken in 

 deep water with long lines. Frosts at night are often 

 severe, and many harbours begin to " catch over" with ice. 



Ducks and geese leave the coast. Deer are rutting, but 

 are now nearer the seaboard in the leads and marshes. 

 The winds are high and cold, but they are nearly all westerly 

 and off the land ; thus the sea is often smooth alongshore. 

 The most disastrous storms, however, have occurred in 

 this month. All the trappers are busy taking supplies into 

 the country and preparing their traps. Otters, foxes, 

 mink, beaver, etc., come in season. They are, however, 

 not really " prime." Large Labrador herring are taken 

 in gill nets. Lesser auks, puffins, murrelets, and other 

 diving sea-birds are very plentiful, passing south. The 

 lakes all freeze over, and the hilltops are all capped with 

 snow. 



November. The last of the southerners leave. The 



