IN AUDUBON'S LABRADOR 



ther impoverished them. The great increase 

 in the price of furs before the war induced 

 many whites to enter the business of trapping, 

 and thus help to exterminate the Indian's 

 chief dependence. At Grand Romaine the 

 Indians had no flour. 



Our captain was a broad-minded man, and 

 one who could rise above prejudices. No one 

 on the coast would think of eating cormorants, 

 although gulls, murres, and auks, which live 

 on the same fishy food, are eagerly eaten. 

 The uncanny, snakelike neck, the bare patch 

 of orange-colored skin at the throat, and the 

 curious web on the feet connecting all the toes, 

 as well as the filthy nesting-habits, easily 

 account for this prejudice. It is possible that 

 the old Mosaic law forbidding its use as food 

 may still have its influence. After preparing 

 the skin of my cormorant, I broiled the breast 

 and served it with a well-seasoned flour and 

 onion sauce. The men turned away from it 

 with horror, but the captain, much to his own 

 surprise, found it delicious, as indeed it was, 

 tender and agreeable, tasting not at all fishy. 

 I trust I have not introduced a taste which 

 ■will lead to the destruction of this interesting 



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