various sizes. 



370 A JOURNEY TO THE 



effect than if winged with the feathers of geese, cranes, crows, 

 or other birds, that in fact would do equally as well. The 

 flesh of the Eagle is usually eaten by most of the Indians, but 

 is always black, hard, and fishy ; even the [400] young ones, 

 when in a callow state, though the flesh is delicate white, are 

 so rank as to render them very unpleasant to some persons, 

 except in times of necessity. 

 Hawks of Hawks of various sizes and plumage frequent the different 



parts of the country round Hudson's Bay during Summer. 

 Some of those Hawks are so large as to weigh three pounds, 

 and others so small as not to exceed five or six ounces. But 

 the weight of those, as well as every other species of Birds, 

 is no standard for the Naturalist to go by ; for at different 

 seasons, and when in want of food, they are often scarcely half 

 the weight they are when fat and in good order. Notwith- 

 standing the variety of Hawks that resort to those parts in 

 Summer, I know but one species that brave the intense cold of 

 the long Winters to the North of Churchill River ; and that 

 is what Mr. Pennant calls the Sacre Falcon.'^ They, like the 

 other large species of Hawks, prey much on the white grouse 

 or partridge, and also on the American hare, usually called 

 here Rabbits. They are always found to frequent those parts 

 where partridges are plentiful, and are detested by the sports- 

 men, as they generally drive all the game off the ground near 

 their tents ; but, in return, they often drive thither fresh flocks 

 of some hundreds. Notwithstanding this, they so frequently 

 baulk those who are employed on the hunting service, that the 

 Governors generally give a reward of a quart of brandy for 

 each of their heads. Their flesh is always eaten by the Indians, 

 and sometimes by the [401] English; but it is always black, 

 hard, and tough, and sometimes has a bitter taste. 



The Indians are fond of taming those birds, and frequently 

 keep them the whole Summer ; but as the Winter approaches 



[' The Sacre Falcon of Pennant is generally identified as Falco rusiicolus 

 gyrfalco Linn.] 



