1880. | Geography and Travels. 823 
being found. Lieut. Schwatka remained in King William Land 
until November Ist, when he started on his return trip to Hud- 
son’s bay, pursuing a route south and west of his former course, 
and following Back’s river to 66° N. lat, This stream is laid 
down on the maps about one degree further west than as found 
by the travelers. Finding game very scarce near the river, and 
losing many of their dogs for want of proper food,) the party left 
the river on December 30, 1879, and traveling in a south-easterly 
direction through a country where plenty of game was found, 
arrived at Depot island on March 4, 1880. 
While in King William Land two of an apparently distinct 
Species of snipe were shot and their skins preserved for deposit 
in the Smithsonian Institution collection. One of them was dis- 
tinguished “by a sweet simple song, somewhat similar to a lark, 
its silvery tones gushing forth as if in perfect ecstacy of enjoy- 
ment of sunshine and air, at the same time rising and poising 
itself on its wings.” Small flocks of ducks—the drakes and ducks 
in separate bands—were also seen. “The drakes are exceedingly 
senting a texture on the back somewhat similar to the canvas 
back species of Chesapeake bay.” Immense herds of reindeer 
were seen in King William Land in September, but when, about 
_ October rst, the ice became sufficiently strong for them to cross 
to the mainland, they rapidly disappeared. 
paratively short a march h ‘ xi 
left no ace by which the history of their expedition can be 
read 
1 Twenty-seven died before reaching Depot island. 
