WILDFOWL. 53 



by the edge of the forest, into which they retreated at 

 sight of the boat. 



Amongst the wildfowl perhaps the most numerous 

 were the wild geese, of which incredible numbers 

 annually migrate within the Arctic Circle to breed. 

 Of these they noticed several species ; snow-geese, so 

 called from the snowy whiteness of their plumage ; 

 brent-geese, the most common kind in Canada; bar- 

 nacle and laughing-geese were very numerous ; and at 

 every meal the hunters feasted on these birds, until 

 they became satiated and anxious for a change of food. 



The Indians shoot, snare, and trap immense numbers 

 of ducks, geese, and swans, during the bi-annual migra- 

 tions. Indeed these people would probably starve at 

 certain periods of the year, if they were deprived by 

 any cause of the means of subsistence afforded by the 

 wildfowl. Deer and other animals are often scarce, 

 and not to be depended on for a livelihood; but 

 twice in the year the ducks, swans, and geese arrive 

 in countless flights, and at these times the natives 

 revel in the midst of plenty. With characteristic 

 thoughtlessness they do not make provision from this 

 bountiful supply for the season of scarcity. Hence, 

 during the intensely severe winters they are frequently 

 in a state of absolute starvation, and are sometimes 

 reduced to the horrible extremity of preying on each 

 other, as we have elsewhere observed. 



Among the ducks the youths observed considerable 

 variety of species. Some, and these were the least 



