112 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



So much has been written descriptive of the habits of the mammals 

 and birds found in these regions, by those who accompanied the ex- 

 peditions of Drs. Hayes and Kane, and by other able writers, that it 

 would be almost useless to go over the same ground again. I shall 

 now therefore only dwell briefly on such other items of interest as 

 came vinder my personal observation and knowledge, giving the dates 

 of migrations, etc., of each species in the order in which they stand. 



MAMMALIA. 

 Polar Bear ( Ursus Maritimus, Linn), (Nannooh, Eskimo). 



The Polar Bear, though numerous two hundred miles to the west- 

 ward, is scarce in Prince of Wales Sound, and although a sharp look- 

 out was kept for them only four were seen, one of which was shot. 



The Eskimo informed me it was useless to look for, them during 

 the winter, as they were never seen until June, when the ice is break- 

 ing up. They are then occasionally taken on the ice-floes as they 

 drift to the eastward with a regular current that sets this way, which 

 is of great assistance to the bear in its migrations. 



At this season, the seals, on which the bear mainly subsists are 

 very numerous and are captured while they sleep, the bear creeping 

 to within a short distance and then running at full speed upon them. 



Though almost a marine animal, the bear occassionally visits the 

 land where it regales itself on the young grasses, the eggs of the gull 

 and duck, and has been seen capturing salmon and trout by driving 

 them into a corner in shallow streams. 



On the whole I do not think it is as fierce as it is genei'ally sup- 

 posed to be, for although many enquiries were made of the Eskimo 

 as to this, they could not recall a single instance of its having attacked 

 any of their people, nevertheless it is feared by the women who were 

 careful not be alone at the time several were seen and all of them 

 expressed fear of it. 



Wolf (Ganis Lupus Occidentalis), (Armarho, Eskimo). 



Little can be said of this animal as none were seen during my stay 

 here, and I was informed by the Eskimo they were now seldom taken 

 though at one time were very numerous. 



They are very troublesome to the Eskimo, often tearing their seal- 

 skin boats or kyaks in pieces and devouring the skin, which they 

 relish very much. 



