SALMON FISHING IN LABRADOR. 203 



blueberry grew in profusion, and the wild strawberry 

 was scattered in patches wherever sufficient sustenance 

 from the impoverished soil could be gained for its 

 support. In straying about I found two nests of the 

 night hawk, and both of different plumage from those 

 I have so frequently seen of a summer evening on the 

 banks of the Ohio River ; the eggs in both were four in 

 number, of a dirty colour, smudged with brown, and 

 almost lying on the bare rock. This bird is doubt- 

 lessly migratory, resorting here in summer for the 

 purpose of propagation, and spending its winters in the 

 more genial climate of the Southern States, where it 

 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 



