AN ENCHANTING PANOEAMA. 331 



changes its plumage to one of less brilliancy, and receives 

 the local appellation of " bull bat." 



In the rocks and sand I found some fossils of shells, and 

 on such elevated ground that it caused me at the time 

 surprise and wonder whether shell-fish were once denizens 

 of land instead of water, or whether these mountains had 

 once been submerged. Hares appeared to be numerous, as 

 their paths crossed and recrossed each other, forming a 

 perfect labyrinth. Ptarmigan and the Canada partridge I 

 also saw so frequently, that I have little doubt, in the month 

 of September, fine sport might be obtained with dog and 

 gun. Bear signs were also abundant, a solitary stump 

 showing evidence of the power of their claws, and from the 

 height some of these convincing proofs extended up its 

 side, the Bruin family are evidently not stunted in growth 

 in this locality.* After walking for almost an hour, I suc- 

 ceeded in reaching the crest of one of the numerous swells, 

 and, as I turned to survey the scenery, one of the most 

 enchanting panoramas that ever I witnessed broke upon 

 my vision. Bays and arms of the sea, innumerable small 

 islands, numerous reefs of rocks and uncountable mountain 

 peaks stretched as far as the eye could see ; while almost 

 beneath my feet lay our goodly little schooner, reduced by 

 distance to a mere cockle-shell, the busy crew passing to 

 and fro upon the beach, looked scarcely larger than ants. 

 Here, with the unobstructed breeze playing upon me, I got 



* In localities where bears are numerous, all appear to select the same 

 tree to try their claws upon. Of course, the larger bears make the highest 

 incisions. From these marks an expert hunter can form a good estimate 

 of the size of the visitors. 



