BOAS.] DISTRIBUTION OF THE TRIBES. 441 



are more inclined to visit, in turn, the different winter stations of 

 their country. 



In summer the following places are almost always inhabited: Qar- 

 maqdjuin, Ejaloaping in Padli Fjord, Qivitung, and Niaqonaujang. 

 The deer hunting season opens here at the same time as farther south, 

 but it is much facilitated from the fact that the ice breaks up later. 

 The deer visit the numerous islands scattered along the mainland and 

 thus their pasturing ground is easily reached. As the islands of 

 Home Bay constitute a good hunting ground the Eskimo sometimes 

 settle there for a few weeks. 



The long, low peninsula Pamiujang, near Nedluqseaq, and the head 

 of Nudlung are the favorite summer settlements of the Padlimiut. 

 Nudlung, E^alualuin, Ijelirtung, and Inugsuin are visited by the 

 Akudnirmitit. An abundance of deer is found along the southern 

 part of Home Bay, where the plains extend to the sea. It is remark- 

 able that all along this shore there is no island on which birds build 

 their nests. Though fowls do not form an important constituent of 

 the food of the Oqomiut and the more southern tribes, the egg islands 

 are frequently visited. On Davis Strait it is only by chance that 

 ducks &c. are caught, and eggs can scarcely be obtained. The only 

 island which is visited by birds is Avaud jelling, in Home Bay. In 

 July, however, large flocks of eider ducks descend Itirbilung Fjord 

 and many are caught near its head. From this fjord an overland 

 route, which is practicable only in summer, leads to Piling, a district on 

 the shore of Fox Basin, which may be reached in three days. Though 

 the route is well known, it seems to be passing into disuse; at least I 

 do not know any natives who have crossed the land by it. Another 

 interesting road leading overland must be mentioned, namely, the 

 one which leads from Niidlung and Ejalualuin to Majoraridjen and 

 Nettilling. The former region is still visited by the Akudnirmiut, 

 but I know of but one family who went to Nettilling and wintered 

 there. 



As a rule, aboiit the beginning of August the Akudnirmiut move 

 to Niaqonaujang in order to have an oppo.tunity of meeting the 

 whalers on their way south. For the same reason the southern fam- 

 ilies gather at Qivitung. 



As soon as the sea is frozen up, part of the natives of Qivitung- 

 , move southward and settle on Qeqertuqdjuaq. where they stay until 

 February, while in spring some stay here or move farther np the bay, 

 where they establish their huts on Qeqertaq; the rest travel to Padli 

 Fjord and live with the families who had passed the winter there on 

 Padloping. As the floe edge approaches the land here, the country 

 is favorable for bear hunting, which is pursued in March and April. 

 In June the natives move up Padli Fjord to catch salmon, which are 

 found in enormous numbers at Padli. A feW visit Agpan, where 

 flocks of loons nest. The natives who intend to return to Qivitung in 

 summer leave about the eml of May or the beginning of June. 



