258 DOUGLAS' JOURNAL 



and very fatiguing to ascend, the snow 4 to 6 feet deep in the higher spots. 

 The ravines or gullies unmeasurable, and towards noon becoming soft, 

 sinking, ascending two steps and sometimes sliding back three, the snow- 

 shoes twisting and throwing the weary traveller down (and I speak as I feel) 

 so feeble that lie I must among the snow, like a broken-down waggon- 

 horse entangled in his harnessing, weltering to rescue myself. Obliged 

 to camp at noon, two miles up the hill, all being weary. No water ; melted 

 snow, which makes good tea ; find no fault with the food, glad of anything. 

 The remainder of the day is spent as follows : On arriving at a camp, one 

 gathers a few dry twigs and makes fire, two or three procuring fuel for the 

 night, and as many more gathering green soft branches of Pinus balsamea ^ 

 or canadensis 3 to sleep on, termed ' flooring the house,' each hanging up 

 his wet clothing to the fire, repairing snowshoes, and arranging his load 

 for the ensuing day, that no time may be lost ; in the morning, rise, shake 

 the blanket, tie it on the top, and then try who is to be at the next stage 

 first. Dreamed last night of being in Regent Street, London ! Yet far 

 distant. Progress nine miles. 



Tuesday, May 1st. — This morning our fire that was kindled on the snow 

 had sunk into a hole 6 feet deep, making a natural kitchen. Minimum 

 heat 2°, maximum 44°, on the highest part of the big hill. Started at day- 

 break, finding the snow deeper and the trees gradually diminish towards the 

 summit ; laborious to ascend. Went frequently off the path in conse- 

 quence of not seeing the marks on the trees, being covered with the snow. 

 Reached the top at ten, three miles, where we made a short stay to rest. 

 Course north-east. Descended in the same direction and came on the 

 river which we left two days before. Passed in the valley two small level 

 spots clear of wood and one low point of wood of small trees, Pinus nigra * 

 and P. BanJcsiana, where we camped at midday, being unable to proceed 

 further from the deep soft snow. Progress seven miles. Mr. E. killed on 

 the height of land a most beautiful male partridge, a curious species ; 

 small ; neck and breast jet black ; back of a lighter hue ; belly and 

 under the tail grey, mottled with pure white ; beak black ; above the 

 eye bright scarlet, which it raises on each side of the head, screening the 

 few feathers on the crown ; resembles a small well-crested domesticated 

 fowl ; leaves of Pinus nigra 3 in the crop. This is the sort of bird mentioned 

 to me by Mr. McLeod as inhabiting the higher parts of Peace and Smoky 

 Rivers. This, however, is not so large as described. Perhaps there may 

 be two varieties. Said also to be found in Western Caledonia. This 

 being the first I have seen, could not resist the temptation of preserving it, 

 although mutilated in the legs and in any circimistances little chance of 

 being able to carry it, let alone being in a good state. The flesh of the 

 partridge remarkably tender when new killed, like game that has been killed 

 several days ; instead of being white, of a darkish cast. After breakfast at 

 one o'clock, being as I conceive on the highest part of the route, I became 

 desirous of ascending one of the peaks, and accordingly I set out alone on 



^ Abies balsamea. Mast, in Journ. R. Hort. Soo. xiv. p. 189. 

 ^ Tsuga canadensis, Mast., loc. cit., p. 255. 

 ' Picea nigra. Mast., loc. cit., p. 222. 



