seasons are numerous, but such as brave the severe Winter are but few in
number, and shall be particularly noticed in their proper places.
[Sidenote: Eagles.]
EAGLES of several sorts are found in the country bordering on Hudson's
Bay during the Summer; but none, except the common brown Fishing
Eagle,[165] ever frequent the Northern parts. They always make their
appearance in those dreary regions about the latter end of March or
beginning of April, and build their nests in lofty trees, in the
crevices of inaccessible rocks near the {399} banks of rivers. They lay
but two eggs, (which are white,) and frequently bring but one young.
They generally feed on fish, which they catch as they are swimming near
the surface; but they are very destructive to the musk rat and hares, as
also to geese and ducks, when in a moulting state, and frequently kill
young beaver. Their nests are very large, frequently six feet in
diameter; and before their young can fly, are so provident, that the
Indians frequently take a most excellent meal of fish, flesh, and fowl
from their larder. Though they bring forth their young so early as the
latter end of May, or the beginning of June, yet they never fly till
September; a little after which they migrate to the Southward. They are
the most ravenous of any bird I know; for when kept in confinement or in
a tame state as it may be called, I have known two of them eat more than
a bushel of fish in a day. They are never known to breed on the barren
grounds to the North of Churchill River, though many of the lakes and
rivers in those parts abound with variety of fish. This is probably
owing to the want of trees or high rocks to build in. The Northern
Indians are very partial to the quill-feathers of the Eagle, as well as
to those of the hawk, to wing or plume their arrows with, out of a
superstitious notion that they have a greater effect than if winged with
the feathers of geese, cranes, crows, or other birds, that in fact would
do equally as well. The flesh of the Eagle is usually eaten by most of
the Indians, but is always black, hard, and fishy; even the {400} young
ones, when in a callow state, though the flesh is delicate white, are so
rank as to render them very unpleasant to some persons, except in times
of necessity.
[Sidenote: Hawks of various sizes.]
HAWKS of various sizes and plumage frequent the different parts of the
country round Hudson's Bay during Summer. Some of those Hawks are so
large as to weigh three pounds, and others so small as not to exceed
five or six ounces. But the weight of those, as well as every other
species of Birds, is no standard for the Naturalist to go by; for at
different seasons, and when in want of food, they are often scarcely
half the weight they are when fat and in good order. Notwithstanding the
variety of Hawks that resort to those parts in Summer, I know but one
species that brave the intense cold of the long Winters to the North of
Churchill River; and that is what Mr. Pennant calls the Sacre
Falcon.[166] They, like the other large species of Hawks, prey much on
the white grouse or partridge, and also on the American hare, usually
called here Rabbits. They are always found to frequent those parts where
partridges are plentiful, and are detested by the sportsmen, as they
generally drive all the game off the ground near their tents; but, in
return, they often drive thither fresh flocks of some hundreds.
Notwithstanding this, they so frequently baulk those who are employed on
the hunting service, that the Governors generally give a reward of a
quart of brandy for each of their heads. Their flesh is always eaten by
the Indians, and sometimes by the {401} English; but it is always black,
hard, and tough, and sometimes has a bitter taste.
The Indians are fond of taming those birds, and frequently keep them the
whole Summer; but as the Winter approaches they generally take flight,
and provide for themselves. When at Cumberland House I had one of them,
of which my people were remarkably fond; and as it never wanted for
food, would in all probability have remained with us all the Winter, had
it not been killed by an Indian who did not know it to be tame.
[Sidenote: White or Snowy Owl.]
The beautiful species of WHITE or SNOWY OWL[167] is common in all parts
of Hudson's Bay, as far North as the Copper-mine River. These birds,
when flying or sitting, appear very large, but when killed, seldom weigh
more than three and a half, or four pounds, and sometimes scarcely half
that weight. They generally feed on mice and partridges, and are at
times known to kill rabbits. They are, like the hawk, very troublesome
to the sportsmen; and, contrary to any other bird that I know, have a
great propensity to follow the report of a gun, and frequently follow
the hunters (as they are usually called in Hudson's Bay) the whole day.
On those occasions they usually perch on high trees, and watch till a
bird is killed, when they skim down and carry it off before the hunter
can get near it; but in return, the hunters, when they see them on the
watch, frequently decoy them within gun-shot, by throwing up a dead
bird, which {402} the Owl seldom refuses to accept; but the sportsman
being fully provided for this visit, and on his guard, generally shoots
them before they can carry off the partridge. They are, however, so
great a hindrance to those employed on the hunting service, that the
same premium is given for one of their heads as for that of a hawk.
In Winter they are frequently very fat, their flesh delicately white,
and generally esteemed good eating, both by English and Indians. Those
Owls always make their nests on the ground, generally lay from three to
four eggs, but seldom hatch more than two; and in the extreme North the
young ones do not fly till September. They never migrate, but brave the
coldest Winters, even on the barren ground, far remote from any woods;
and in those situations perch on high rocks and stones, and watch for
their prey.
[Sidenote: Grey or Mottled Owl.]
The species of GREY or MOTTLED OWL[168] are by no means so numerous as
the former, are something inferior in size, and always frequent the
woods. They never go in search of their prey in the day time, but perch
on the tops of lofty pines, and are easily approached and shot. Their
food is generally known to be mice and small birds, yet their flesh is
delicately white, and nearly as good as a barn-door fowl; of course it
is much esteemed both by the English and Indians. This species of Owl is
called by the Southern Indians Ho-ho, and the former Wap-a-kee-thow.
[Sidenote: Cob-a-dee-cooch.]
{403} Besides those two species of Owls, there is another that remains
in Hudson's Bay all the year, and is called by the Indians
COB-A-DEE-COOCH.[169] It is so far inferior in size to the two former,
that it seldom weighs half a pound; is of a mottled brown, the feathers
long, and of a most delicate soft and silky quality. In general this
species feed on mice, and birds they find dead; and are so impudent at
times, that they light on a partridge when killed by the hunter, but not
being able to carry it off, are often obliged to relinquish the prize.
Like the White Owl, at times, though but seldom, they follow the report
of a gun, and by so frequently skimming round the sportsmen, frighten
the game nearly as much as the hawk. They seldom go far from the woods,
build in trees, and lay from two to four eggs. They are never fat, and
their flesh is eaten only by the Indians.
[Sidenote: Ravens.]
RAVENS[170] of a most beautiful glossy black, richly tinged with purple
and violet colour, are the constant inhabitants of Hudson's Bay; but are
so far inferior in size to the English Raven, that they are usually
called Crows. They build their nests in lofty pine-trees, and generally
lay four speckled eggs; they bring forth their young so early as the
latter end of May, or the beginning of June. In Summer many of them
frequent the barren grounds, several hundred miles from any woods;
probably invited there by the multitudes of deer and musk-oxen that are
killed by the Northern Indians during that season, merely for their
{404} skins, and who leave their flesh to rot, or be devoured by beasts
or birds of prey. At those times they are very fat, and the flesh of the
young ones is delicately white, and good eating. But in Winter they are,
through necessity, obliged to feed on a black moss that grows on the
pine-trees, also on deer's dung, and excrements of other animals. It is
true, they kill some mice, which they find in the surface of the snow,
and catch many wounded partridges and hares; in some parts of the
country they are a great nuisance to the hunter, by eating the game that
is either caught in snares or traps. With all this assistance, they are
in general so poor during the severe cold in Winter, as to excite wonder
how they possibly can exist.
Their faculty of scent must be very acute; for in the coldest days in
Winter, when every kind of effluvia is almost instantaneously destroyed
by the frost, I have frequently known buffaloes and other beasts killed
where not one of those birds were seen; but in a few hours scores of
them would gather about the spot to pick up the dung, blood, and other
offal. An unarmed man may approach them very near when feeding, but they
are shy of those that have a gun; a great proof that they smell the
gunpowder. They are, however, frequently shot by guns set for foxes; and
sometimes caught in traps built for martins. Though, on the whole, they
may be called a shy bird, yet their necessities in Winter are so great,
that, like the White Owl, they frequently follow the report of a gun,
keep prudently at a distance from the sportsman, and frequently {405}
carry off many wounded birds. Their quills make most excellent pens for
drawing, or for ladies to write with.
[Sidenote: Cinereous Crow.]
The CINEREOUS CROW,[171] or, as it is called by the Southern Indians,
Whisk-e-jonish, by the English Whiskey-jack, and by the Northern Indians
Gee-za, but as some pronounce it, and that with more propriety, Jee-za,
though classed among the Crows, is in reality so small, as seldom to
weigh three ounces; the plumage grey, the feathers very long, soft, and
silky, and in general entirely unwebbed, and in some parts much
resembles hair. This bird is very familiar, and fond of frequenting
habitations, either houses or tents; and so much given to pilfering,
that no kind of provisions it can come at, either fresh or salt, is safe
from its depredation. It is so bold as to come into tents, and sit on
the edge of the kettle when hanging over the fire, and steal victuals
out of the dishes. It is very troublesome to the hunters, both English
and Indian, frequently following them a whole day; it will perch on a
tree while the hunter is baiting his martin-traps, and as soon as his
back is turned go and eat the baits. It is a kind of mock bird, and of
course has a variety of notes; it is easily tamed, but never lives long
in confinement. It is well known to be a provident bird, laying up great
quantities of berries in Summer for a Winter stock; but its natural
propensity to pilfer at all seasons makes it much detested both by the
{406} English and Indians. It builds its nest in trees, exactly like
that of the blackbird and thrush; lays four blue eggs, but seldom brings
more than three young ones.
[Sidenote: Wood-pecker.]
I know of only one sort of WOOD-PECKER that frequents the remote
Northern parts of Hudson's Bay; and this is distinguished by Mr. Pennant
by the name of the Golden Winged Bird;[172] but to the South West that
beautiful species of Wood-pecker with a scarlet crown is very
frequent.[173] The manner of life of this species is nearly alike,
always building their nests in holes in trees, and feeding on worms and
insects. They generally have from four to six young at a time. They are
said to be very destructive to fruit-trees that are raised in gardens in
the more Southern parts of America; but the want of those luxuries in
Hudson's Bay renders them very harmless and inoffensive birds. The red
feathers of the larger sort, which frequent the interior and Southern
parts of the Bay, are much valued by some of the Indians, who ornament
their pipe-stems with them, and at times use them as ornaments to their
children's clothing. Neither of the two species here mentioned ever
migrate,[174] but are constant inhabitants of the different climates in
which they are found.
[Sidenote: Grouse.]
There are several species of GROUSE in the different parts of Hudson's
Bay; but two of the largest, and one of them the most beautiful, never
reach so far North {407} as the latitude 59°: but as I have seen them in
great plenty near Cumberland House, I shall take the liberty to describe
them.
[Sidenote: The Ruffed Grouse.]
The RUFFED GROUSE.[175] This is the most beautiful of all that are
classed under that name. They are of a delicate brown, prettily
variegated with black and white: tail large and long, like that of a
hawk, which is usually of an orange-colour, beautifully barred with
black, chocolate, and white; and the tail is frequently expanded like a
fan. To add to their beauty, they have a ruff of glossy black feathers,
richly tinged with purple round the neck, which they can erect at
pleasure: this they frequently do, but more particularly so when they
spread their long tail, which gives them a noble appearance. In size
they exceed a partridge, but are inferior to a pheasant. In Winter they
are usually found perched on the branches of the pine-trees; and in that
season are so tame as to be easily approached, and of course readily
shot.
They always make their nests on the ground, generally at the root of a
tree, and lay to the number of twelve or fourteen eggs. In some of the
Southern parts of America several attempts have been made to tame those
beautiful birds, by taking their eggs and hatching them under domestic
hens, but it was never crowned with success; for when but a few days
old, they always make their escape into the woods, where they probably
pick up a subsistence. Their flesh is delicately white and firm, and
{408} though they are seldom fat, they are always good eating, and are
generally esteemed best when larded and roasted, or nicely boiled with a
bit of bacon.
There is something very remarkable in those birds, and I believe
peculiar to themselves, which is that of clapping their wings with such
a force, that at half a mile distance it resembles thunder. I have
frequently heard them make that noise near Cumberland House in the month
of May, but it was always before Sun-rise, and a little after Sun-set.
It is said by Mr. Barton and Le Hontan, that they never clap in this
manner but in the Spring and Fall, and I must acknowledge that I never
heard them in Winter, though I have killed many of them in that season.
The Indians informed me they never make that noise but when feeding,
which is very probable; for it is notoriously known that all the species
of Grouse feed very early in the mornings, and late in the afternoons.
This species is called by some of the Indians bordering on Hudson's Bay,
Pus-pus-kee, and by others Pus-pus-cue.
[Sidenote: Sharp-tailed Grouse.]
SHARP-TAILED GROUSE,[176] or as they are called in Hudson's Bay,
Pheasant. Those birds are always found in the Southern parts of the Bay,
are very plentiful in the interior parts of the country, and in some
Winters a few of them are shot at York Fort, but never reach so far
North as Churchill. In colour they are not very unlike that of the
English hen pheasant; but the tail is short and pointed, like that of
the common duck; and there is no perceivable {409} difference in plumage
between the male and female. When full-grown, and in good condition,
they frequently weigh two pounds, and though the flesh is dark, yet it
is juicy, and always esteemed good eating, particularly when larded and
roasted. In Summer they feed on berries, and in Winter on the tops of
the dwarf birch, and the buds of the poplar. In the Fall they are
tolerably tame, but in the severe cold more shy; frequently perch on the
tops of the highest poplars, out of moderate gun-shot, and will not
suffer a near approach. They sometimes, when disturbed in this
situation, dive into the snow; but the sportsman is equally baulked in
his expectations, as they force their way so fast under it as to raise
flight many yards distant from the place they entered, and very
frequently in a different direction to that from which the sportsman
expects.[CH] They, like the other species of grouse, make their nests on
the ground, and lay from ten to thirteen eggs. Like the Ruffed Grouse,
they are not to be tamed, as many trials have been made at York Fort,
but without success; for though they never made their escape, yet they
always died, probably for the want of proper food; for the hens that
hatched them were equally fond of them, as they could possibly have been
had they been the produce of their own eggs. This species of Grouse is
called by the Southern Indians Aw-kis-cow.
[Sidenote: Wood Partridge.]
{410} The WOOD PARTRIDGES[177] have acquired that name in Hudson's Bay
from their always frequenting the forests of pines and fir; and in
Winter feeding on the brush of those trees, though they are fondest of
the latter. This species of Grouse is inferior in size and beauty to the
Ruffed, yet may be called a handsome bird; the plumage being of a
handsome brown, elegantly spotted with white and black. The tail is
long, and tipped with orange; and the legs are warmly covered with short
feathers, but the feet are naked. They are generally in the extreme with
respect to shyness; sometimes not suffering a man to come within two
gun-shots, and at others so tame that the sportsman may kill five or six
out of one tree without shifting his station. They are seen in some
years in considerable numbers near York Fort. They are very scarce at
Churchill, though numerous in the interior parts, particularly on the
borders of the Athapuscow Indians country, where I have seen my Indian
companions kill many of them with blunt-headed arrows. In Winter their
flesh is black, hard and bitter, probably owing to the resinous quality
of their food during that season; but this is not observed in the
rabbits, though they feed exactly in the same manner in Winter: on the
contrary, their flesh is esteemed more delicate than that of the English
rabbit. The Southern Indians call this species of Partridge,
Mistick-a-pethow; and the Northern Indians call it, Day.
[Sidenote: Willow Partridge.]