468 THEOUGH THE MACKENZIE BASIN 



Schwatka would undoubtedly have discovered some definite 

 traces thereof. Owing to the many trying obstades that 

 would have to be surmounted in taking dead men for such 

 long distances over very hummocky ice, and the difficulty 

 that would have been experienced in digging graves in hard 

 frozen ground, taken in conjunction with Sir John's well- 

 known kind and considerate disposition, I think it may be 

 safely taken for granted that under the then existing circum- 

 stances this unnecessary and exacting labour had never been 

 demanded from the already suffering crews. On the con- 

 trary, I firmly believe that when he found his own departure 

 was near at hand, he directed his successor in the command 

 that he himself, when gone, together with all those who might 

 be called hence from their ice-beset ships, should be com- 

 mitted to the deep of the seaman's native element, earth's 

 great ocean, in which myriads of Britannia's children repose 

 until that day when the mighty sea shall give up its dead. 



As no published account has yet reached Winnipeg of the 

 undoubtedly valuable scientific work, in connection vidth the 

 Magnetic Pole, performed by that able, enterprising and 

 energetic Norwegian, Captain Amundsen, who has since suc- 

 ceeded in sailii^ over (not discovering, as some papers 

 stated), and in his small ship accomplishing in its entirety, 

 the " Franklin " and only feasible North- West Passage, we 

 must content ourselves, in the meantime, by expressions of 

 deep admiration for, and the heartiest congratulations on, 

 his very successful achievement. 



In the preparation of the foregoing paper on the bipds 

 and eggs of the Anderson River region, the writer con- 

 sulted a " History of North American Birds " by Professors 

 Eaird, Brewer and Ridgway, and in regard to the collection 

 of birds and eggs made by him in New Caledonia, B.C., 

 and in Cumberland, lower Saskatchewan, Major Bendire's 

 " Life Histories of North American Birds," has received 

 similar attention, while Professor John Macoun's interest- 



