OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 



245 



experienced the rapidity with which such changes do take place, when once ^22. 

 they fairly begin in these regions. The whole aspect of the island was so ^ — > 

 thoroughly metamorphosed, in consequence of the disappearance of the 

 snow, that the very spots on which we had been in the frequent habit of 

 walking for the last nine months, could now scarcely be recognised ; and I 

 believe not one among us, if removed from Winter Island in May and 

 brought back in July, would, from the mere aspect of the land, have very 

 easily discovered the scene of our winter's rambles. 



Some other birds had now also arrived in our neighbourhood ; among Sat. 29. 

 these the golden plovers and phalaropes were tolerably abundant, as also 

 boatswains, terns, and dovekies ; the latter had been absent, for some time ; 

 and it was curious to observe that in the interval they had nearly re-as- 

 sumed their summer plumage. Some brent-geese and black-throated divers 

 were found to frequent the ponds on shore, and a single specimen of the 

 harm Sabini was procured, being the only individual of that species seen on 

 the island. Iligliuk had recognised the bird, (which the Esquimaux call 

 Erkeei-yiiggee-ari-oo,) by the engraving of it, and said we should find them 

 to the northward, which piece of information we afterwards found to be 

 correct. We were surprised that no more grouse had been seen, and some- 

 what disappointed at having only procured a single deer, which the Hecla's 

 sportsmen were fortunate in shooting on the 29th ; but of these animals 

 very few had been met with. Two or three foxes had lately been seen, 

 one of which was of a darkish colour and the others quite white. The 

 vegetation had also felt the good effects of the late mild and moist Aveathcr, 

 and a number of plants were now appearing in flower. Among these, spe- 

 cimens of the potentilla nivea, saxifraga ccespitosa, draba alpina, and oxytropis 

 arctica, had been procured within the last three or four days. 



The westerly wind did not long continue, but again veered to the south- Sun. 30. 

 ward and then to the east. On the 30th it suddenly backed to N.N.E., 

 from which quarter it soon freshened to a strong gale with heavy snow and 

 sleet. This inclement weather did us some service in clearing part of our 

 passage out of the bay, which the late winds had blocked up with ice; but to 

 the eastward of the island, the main body remained quite close to the shore. 

 In the course of the night the wind veered to the north, giving us every 

 hope of being speedily at liberty to put to sea. 



Previously to leaving our present winter-quarters, where we had now nearly 

 completed our ninth month, I shall offer a few remarks on the extent and 



