Sandpipers. 



392 A JOURNEY TO THE 



siderable numbers, but more so in the interior parts ; and 

 usually frequents the flat muddy banks of rivers. In summer 

 it is generally very poor, but late in the Fall is, as it may be 

 called, one lump of fat. This bird, with many others of the 

 migratory tribe, I saw in considerable numbers as far North 

 as the latitude 71° 54'; and at York Fort I have known 

 them shot so late as the latter end of October : at which 

 time they are in the greatest perfection, and most delicious 

 eating, more particularly so when put into a bit of paste, 

 and boiled like an apple-dumpling ; for in fact they are 

 generally too fat at that season to be eaten either roasted 

 or boiled. 

 Hebridai [4^7] Hebridal SANDPIPERS,^ but more commonly known 



in Hudson's Bay by the Name of Whale Birds, on account of 

 their feeding on the carcases of those animals which frequently 

 lie on the shores, also on maggots that are produced in them 

 by fly-blows. These birds frequent those parts in considerable 

 numbers, and always keep near the margin of the sea. They 

 may, in fact, be called beautiful birds, though not gay in their 

 plumage ; they are usually very fat, but even when first killed 

 they smell and taste so much like train-oil as to render them 

 by no means pleasing to the palate, yet they are frequently 

 eaten by the Company's servants. As the Summer advances 

 they fly so far North of Churchill River, that their breeding- 

 places are not known, though they remain at that part till the 

 beginning of July, and return early in the Fall. They are by 

 no means large birds, as they seldom weigh four ounces. The 

 bill is black, plumage prettily variegated black and white, and 

 the legs and feet are of a beautiful orange colour.* 



[' Arenaria morinella (Linn.). The Turnstone is abundant along the west 

 coast of Hudson Bay in migration, and doubtless breeds about its northern 

 shores, though I am not aware that its nest has actually been discovered 

 there.] 



* They exactly correspond with the bird described by Mr. Pennant, except 

 that they are much longer. 



