180 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



and as we were digging it clear some of those 

 chattering pies, whom the Indians call moose birds,. 

 perched on the branches which overhung our cabin, 

 and essaj'ed frequent attacks on the tohogins which 

 contained the moose meat. The dogs, however, kept 

 good watch, and soon put the winged rascals to the 

 rightabout. The captain and I fired several shots 

 at them, but, as we had nothing but bullets, — not 

 an ounce of shot, — we only succeeded in frightening 

 them from branch to branch, and in causing them 

 to redouble their hideous noise. Next morning, 

 we started early, and regained the tavern about 

 mid-day. 



The proprietor of the " King George Hotel" 

 received us with enthusiasm, and gave us a lesson as 

 to the proper way of cooking the muzzle, or upper 

 lip, of the moose. The flavour of the dish closely 

 resembles that of the turtle, and it is of enormous 

 dimensions. Among the Canadian gourmets, it is 

 as much esteemed as the " green fat " itself. 



We encountered several accidents on our way 

 back. Once we had nearly lost our road, our driver 

 taking us over a hedge, which only just peeped 

 above the snow. Instead of helping us out of the 

 difficulty, he began to bellow like a calf, and when 

 he was tired of that he swore like a trooper. In 

 the struggles of the horses to disengage them- 

 selves, over we went, and McLean and I found 

 ourselves suddenly about a dozen yards from the 



