CHAPTER II 



THE CARIBOU MIGRATION IN NEWFOUNDLAND 



\_The result of six seasons' work, when patience 

 was at last rewarded and the big herds came 

 before the stags had shed their antlers.'] 



OCTOBER 24TH, 1911. Once more I find myself 

 in Newfoundla nd watching from my blind for the 

 elusive Caribou, and, judging from indications, 1 

 shall not have long to wait. The day before 

 yesterday while paddling up the river I saw several 

 small lots of Caribou, and this morning while 

 cooking my solitary breakfast, a herd of fifteen 

 swam across the river and landed on the bank 

 directly opposite my camp ; so it looks as though 

 the migration for which I have long waited had 

 really begun, and that I would at last have some 

 luck. Yesterday I repaired the blinds which 1 have 

 used each year, and built a couple of new ones on 

 very promising leads, so I feel that I am ready 

 for my friends when they come. Armed with 

 camera, plates, and warm clothing I left camp soon 

 after the sun had risen. After showing itself for a 

 few minutes it retired behind the deep grey clouds. 

 I circled around the river to my blind so as to leave 

 no scent along the Caribou leads, for unless pressed 

 by bad weather, these animals will not cross a fresh 

 human trail, and even if the scent be almost cold 

 1 First published in Country Life. 



