388 A JOURNEY TO THE 



call this bird Kies-kiss-heshis, from a twittering noise they 

 make, which much resembles that word in sound. 



Swallows. [422] Swallows ^ visit these parts in considerable numbers 



in Summer, and are very domestic ; building their nests in 

 necessaries, stables, and other out-offices that are much fre- 

 quented. They seldom make their appearance at Churchill 

 River till June, and retire South early in August. They, like 

 the European Swallow, gather in large flocks on the day of 

 their departure, make several revolutions round the breeding- 

 places, and then take their leave till the next year. I do not 

 recollect to have seen any of those birds to the North of Seal 

 River. 



Martins. Martins ^ also visit Hudson's Bay in great numbers, but 



seldom so far North as Churchill River. They usually make 

 their nests in holes formed in the steep banks of rivers ; and, 

 like the Swallow, lay four or five speckled eggs ; and retire 

 Southward in August. At the Northern settlements they are 

 by no means so domestic as the Swallow. 



Hooping Hooping Crane. ^ This bird visits Hudson's Bay in the 



Spring, though not in great numbers. They are generally 

 seen only in pairs, and that not very often. It is a bird of 

 considerable size, often equal to that of a good turkey, and 

 the great length of the bill, neck, and legs, makes it measure, 

 from the bill to the toes, near six feet in common, and some 

 much more. Its plumage is of a pure white, except the quill- 

 feathers, which are black ; the crown is covered with a red 



[' This account of the nesting habits seems to refer to the Barn Swallow, 

 Hirundo erythrogastr'a Bodd. I am not aware that this bird now nests at 

 Fort Churchill, though it is not unlikely that it did so formerly. The cliffs in 

 the vicinity would afford ideal natural nesting sites.] 



\^ Here Hearne undoubtedly refers to the Bank Swallow, Riparia riparia 

 (Linn.), which inhabits the region in myriads. As it nests only in banks of 

 clay or sand its local abundance is dependent on their presence. The eggs are 

 unspotted.] 



[^ Grus americana (Linn.). Though specimens from Hudson Bay figured 

 in the original description of this magnificent species, it was rare even in 

 Heame's time, and is now probably extirpated in that region.] 



