SCARCITY OF ANIMAL LIFE ON THE WINNIPEG. 115 



Dawson in the charge of the Eev. Eobert Macdonald and 

 his sister, in a fair way of recovery, although far too much 

 indisposed and feeble to attempt the rough and dangerous 

 voyage down the Winnipeg in a small canoe, weakly 

 manned. I arranged with Mr. Macdonald to send sup- 

 plies, nourishing food, and a north canoe, as soon as I 

 arrived at the settlements, which I hoped to reach in 

 five days. 



The poles of wigwams are numerous in the flat country 

 bordering the shores of Grand Turn Lake ; the timber is 

 aspen and poplar, with a few Banksian pine. Eagles and 

 fish-hawks were the only birds visible in this part of the 

 Winnipeg, the other species of the feathered tribe being 

 in the rice-fields. Near James' Falls there is a small area 

 of clay sustaining aspen and poplar ; it may embrace 

 200 or 300 acres. Here I observed some gigantic 

 ant-hills close to the river. The largest were from five to 

 seven feet in diameter at the base, and from four to five 

 feet high. I counted thirteen of these curious habitations 

 of the " wise " ant. James' Falls are about thirteen feet 

 high, and are always approached with great caution in 

 descending the stream ; they are considered to be among 

 the most dangerous obstacles on this broken and tumul- 

 tuous river. The foaming torrent passes over three steps, 

 each about four feet in height and ten apart, caused by a 

 ledge of rock stretching across the river in a direction 



W. 10° s." 



Below James' Falls the poles of wigwams are numerous, 

 and many Indians were seen at the foot of the different 

 rapids engaged in fishing. The scarcity of animal life of 

 all kinds was very remarkable, eagles and fish-hawks, 

 ducks and rabbits, being the only representatives seen. 

 This scarcity is, however, confined to the autumnal 

 months, as to the time, and to the Great Winnipeg Eiver 



