BIRDS. 71 



leave both settlements for the interior every summer, so there would be 

 no difficulty in securing Eskimo guides and assistants, who are abso- 

 lutely necessary to the success of such an enterprise. Good strong dog- 

 teams, to carry boats and all the required equipments, can be secured 

 from the Eskimo, they driving their own teams. 



The start should be made in May, and the course up the so-called 

 " Mollu Keitook " fjord that opens into the gulf about forty miles north 

 of the Kikkerton Islands on the western shore. This fjord can at this 

 season be traveled with ease with sledges its entire distance about 

 ninety miles. During this stage of the journey the Eskimo could secure 

 enough seal in the fjord for both man and beast. When the inland 

 country was reached, reindeer would make a very acceptable substitute. 

 But this supply should in no wise be solely depended upon. When the 

 head of the fjord is reached there will be found a fresh-water stream, the 

 eastern exit for the Kennedy Lake waters. This stream should be fol- 

 lowed to the lake. If it be late in the season, a whale-boat may be taken 

 up the stream with comparative ease. There are some places where the 

 stream runs in narrow gorges, but the surrounding country offers suitable 

 places for a portage over such points, into the numerous lake-like ex- 

 pansions that will be met with. If it be in May there will be found an 

 abundance of snow for traveling with sledges on the land, and the com- 

 paratively level character of the country, which becomes more strikingly 

 so as one nears the lake, will present but few obstacles to a good dog- 

 team. 



A light canvas tent should be a part of the equipment. While the 

 snow lasted this could be inclosed within a wall of snow, and later be 

 made very comfortable with a stone wall. 



The lake abounds in numerous small islands, has sandy as well as 

 grassy beaches, and is a favorite resort for myriads of waterfowl. It is 

 so large that one cannot see across it. Its location is probably between 

 the 66th and 67th parallels of north latitude. Salmon are abundant in 

 its waters, and a seal that, from the skin, I could not distinguish from 

 Pagomys fcetidus, abounds in considerable numbers. The vicinity is the 

 favorite feeding-ground of immense herds of reindeer. Wolves and 

 foxes are very numerous, and among the Eskimo there is mention of an 

 animal- that from their descriptions and drawings seems to be a Gulo. 



Fossils (Silurian) seem to be very abundant, and petrifactions mar- 

 velously perfect abound in the lowlands. The surrounding country has 

 much the general aspect of a high northern prairie, being quite flat and 



