Hearne's writing was undescribed, but was later characterised by
Richardson (App. to Parry's Second Voyage, p. 316, 1827), from specimens
taken at Five Hawser Bay, Melville Peninsula. It inhabits the Barren
Grounds from Hudson Bay north-westward to the Mackenzie, and is
represented by related and intergrading forms nearly throughout Alaska,
and southward in the Rocky Mountains to the northern United States.
[152] The shrew most often found in the beaver houses is the marsh
shrew, _Neosorex palustris_ (Rich.), whose aquatic habits admirably fit
it for such situations. Two or three smaller shrews, less aquatic in
habits, also inhabit the Hudson Bay region.
[153] _Dicrostonyx richardsoni_ Merriam. This lemming, which is closely
related to _D. hudsonius_ of Labrador, was described from specimens
taken at Fort Churchill, where it is abundant. Farther to the north it
is represented by closely related forms whose ranges are among the most
northerly of all land animals. Hearne's excellent account of this
species has been confirmed in almost every particular by later
observers.
[154] _Odobænus rosmarus_ (Linn.). This animal was formerly abundant in
Hudson Bay, but is now far from common, and is confined to the northern
and north-eastern parts.
[155] _Phoca vitulina_ Linn. is one of the commonest seals about the
Bay, while the ringed seal, _Phoca hispida_ Schreber, is perhaps equally
abundant about its northern shores. The grey species mentioned is the
bearded seal, _Erignathus barbatus_ (Erxleben), which is abundant in
most parts of Hudson Bay.
[156] The narwhal, _Monodon monoceros_ Linn., is still a rare inhabitant
of Hudson Strait and the extreme northern part of the Bay.
[CF] In the Fall of the year 1768, a fine rock cod was drove on shore in
a high gale of wind, and was eaten at the Governor's table; Messrs.
William Wales and Joseph Dymond, who went out to observe the transit of
Venus which happened on the 3d of June 1769, partook of it; but I never
heard of one being caught with a hook, nor ever saw an entire fish of
that description in those parts: their jaw-bones are, however,
frequently found on the shores.
[The common cod, _Gadus callarius_ Linn., enters Hudson Strait, and is
economically important in Ungava Bay. An occasional one is reported in
Hudson Bay, but whether or not the fish is abundant there is not known.]
[157] _Balæna mysticetus_ Linn. This species, the principal object of
pursuit by the northern whalers, was originally fairly common in the
northern part of Hudson Bay, but is now rare there.
[CG] I have heard that no Whale caught by our Greenland ships is called
a Pay-fish; that is, that no emolument arises to the harpooner that
strikes it; unless the longest blade of the bone, usually called
Whale-bone, measures six feet; whereas those killed in Hudson's Bay
seldom measured more than four feet and an half.
[158] _Delphinapterus catodon_ (Linn.). This toothed whale is still
common in nearly all parts of Hudson Bay, and considerable numbers are
taken by means of nets at Fort Churchill. The oil is exported and the
meat utilized for food for dogs.
[159] The "Salmon" here spoken of is evidently some form of the widely
distributed _Salvelinus alpinus_ (Linn.), several supposed forms of
which have been described from different parts of Arctic North America.
The ordinary method of taking it on the coast of Hudson Bay is by
stretching a net between stakes at low tide at right angles to the
shore. The net being immersed at high tide intercepts the fish, which
apparently follow the line of the shore. When the tide falls the catch
is of course easily retrieved.
[160] _Mallotus villosus_ (Müller). This is a kind of smelt of wide
distribution in northern waters.
[161] Apparently referring to _Mytilus edulis_ (Linn.), which is very
abundant on the shore of Hudson Bay.
[162] _Hyas coarctatus_ Leach, occurs on the west coast of Hudson Bay.
Probably other species inhabit its waters.
[163] A common starfish on the west coast of Hudson Bay is a six-armed
species, _Asterias polaris_ (Müller and Troschel).
[164] The common frog of the Hudson Bay region is the northern wood
frog, _Rana cantabrigensis latiremis_ Cope, which is abundant north to
the tree-limit. A smaller species, _Chorophilus septentrionalis_
Boulenger, is abundant on the coast as far north at least as York
Factory.
[165] From Hearne's description of its habits he evidently refers to the
white-headed eagle, _Haliaetus leucocephalus alascanus_ Townsend, which
is the commoner of the two species of that region. The golden eagle,
_Aquila chrysætos_ (Linn.), is rare near the Bay, but in places in the
interior, where rocky ledges occur, is sometimes rather common.
[166] The Sacre Falcon of Pennant is generally identified as _Falco
rusticolus gyrfalco_ Linn.
[167] _Nyctea nyctea_ (Linn.). This beautiful owl is common throughout
the region, breeding on the Barren Grounds, and in winter moving
southward into the wooded country. Occasionally a pair will nest far
south of the normal range.
[168] The great horned owl, _Bubo virginianus subarcticus_ (Hoy), found
throughout the region north nearly to the limit of trees.
[169] This is the hawk owl, _Surnia ulula caparoch_ (Müller). It is
fairly abundant throughout the region north to the limit of trees.
[170] _Corvus corax principalis_ (Ridgway). The raven is rare on the
coast of Hudson Bay, but is rather common in the interior.
[171] _Perisoreus canadensis_ (Linn.). Very abundant throughout the
region north to the limit of trees. It nests in late winter, laying
three or four bluish-grey eggs spotted with brownish.
[172] Besides the "Golden-winged Bird," _Colaptes auratus luteus_
(Bangs), which reaches the limit of trees, several other woodpeckers
inhabit that region.
[173] Referring to the pileated woodpecker, _Phloeotomus pileatus
abieticola_ (Bangs), which is found about the southern parts of Hudson
Bay, and inland toward the south-west.
[174] Hearne is mistaken here, as the golden-winged woodpecker is well
known to leave the northern parts of its summer habitat for several
months.
[175] _Bonasa umbellus togata_ (Linn.). Found about the southern shores
of Hudson Bay, as far north as about 57°, and inland much farther north.
[176] _Pedioecetes phasianellus_ (Linn.). Hearne's remarks on its range
in this region are well founded, and agree with what is known of its
present distribution.
[CH] This I assert from my own experience when at Cumberland House.
[177] _Canachites canadensis_ (Linn.). This grouse inhabits all the
region west of Hudson Bay north nearly to the limit of trees, but is
scarce near the northern border of its range.
[178] _Lagopus lagopus_ (Linn.) This beautiful ptarmigan is still
abundant on the shores of Hudson Bay. It breeds abundantly throughout
the Barren Grounds and in considerable numbers on the treeless areas
which form an almost continuous fringe along the west coast of the Bay
nearly to its southern extremity.
[CI] Mr. Dragge observes, in his North West Passage, that when the
partridges begin to change colour, the first brown feathers appear in
the rump; but this is so far from being a general rule, that an
experienced Hudsonian must smile at the idea. That Mr. Dragge never saw
an instance of this kind I will not say, but when Nature deviates so far
from its usual course, it is undoubtedly owing to some accident; and
nothing is more likely than that the feathers of the bird Mr. Dragge had
examined, had been struck off by a hawk; and as the usual season for
changing their plumage was near, the Summer feathers supplied their
place; for out of the many hundreds of thousands that I have seen
killed, I never saw or heard of a similar instance.
[179] _Lagopus rupestris_ (Gmel.). This species, first described from
specimens sent from Hudson Bay, is more northern in its range than the
willow ptarmigan.
[CJ] Besides the birds already mentioned, which form a constant dish at
our tables in Hudson's Bay, during their respective seasons, Mr. Jérémie
asserts, that during the time he was Governor at York Fort, the bustard
was common. But since that Fort was delivered up to the English at the
peace of Utrecht in 1713, none of the Company's servants have ever seen
one of those birds: nor does it appear by all the Journals now in the
possession of the Hudson's Bay Company, that any such bird was ever seen
in the most Southern parts of the Bay, much less at York Fort, which is
in the latitude 57° North; so that a capital error, or a wilful design
to mislead, must have taken place. Indeed, his account of the country
immediately where he resided, and the productions of it, are so
erroneously stated as to deserve no notice. His colleague, De le
Potries, asserts the existence of the bustard in those parts, and with
an equal regard to truth.
[This is explained by the fact that the early French writers referred to
the Canada goose under the name _Outarde_.]
[180] _Ectopistes migratorius_ (Linn.). This short account of the habits
is evidently founded on Hearne's experience with the species in the
Cumberland House region, where at that time it was doubtless abundant.
The present record for Fort Churchill, as well as other early notices of
its occurrence at York Factory, probably represent the northward
wandering of flocks after the breeding season.
[181] _Planesticus migratorius_ (Linn.). The American robin is rather
common in the Hudson Bay region north to the tree-limit. At Fort
Churchill, in late July 1900, I saw flocks composed of old birds and
young just from the nests.
[182] _Pinicola enucleator leucura_ (Müller). Found throughout the
region north to the limit of trees, but, as Hearne intimates, not
abundant.
[183] _Plectrophenax nivalis_ (Linn.). This name was based on a Hudson
Bay specimen. The bird is abundant throughout the region in migration,
and breeds from the vicinity of Neville Bay (near lat. 62°), northward.
[184] _Zonotrichia leucophrys_ (Forster). First described from specimens
taken at Severn River, Hudson Bay. An abundant species throughout the
region north to the limit of trees.
[185] _Calcarius lapponica_ (Linn.). A common species, as Hearne says.
It breeds from the tree-limit northward.
[186] Apparently referring to the Redpoll, _Acanthis linaria_ (Linn.),
which is, of course, not closely related to the Lapland longspur.
[187] Hearne apparently refers to the Shore Lark, _Otocoris alpestris
hoyti_ Bishop, which breeds abundantly on the small barrens along the
west coast of Hudson Bay as well as on the main area of the Barren
Grounds.
[188] _Penthestes hudsonicus_; first described by Forster from specimens
taken at Severn River, Hudson Bay. It inhabits the region north to the
limit of trees.
[189] This account of the nesting habits seems to refer to the Barn
Swallow, _Hirundo erythrogastra_ (Bodd). I am not aware that this bird
now nests at Fort Churchill, though it is not unlikely that it did so
formerly. The cliffs in the vicinity would afford ideal natural nesting
sites.
[190] Here Hearne undoubtedly refers to the Bank Swallow, _Riparia
riparia_ (Linn.), which inhabits the region in myriads. As it nests only
in banks of clay or sand its local abundance is dependent on their
presence. The eggs are unspotted.
[191] _Grus americana_ (Linn.). Though specimens from Hudson Bay figured
in the original description of this magnificent species, it was rare
even in Hearne's time, and is now probably extirpated in that region.
[192] The Brown Crane (_Grus canadensis_), was described by Linnæus from
Hudson Bay specimens, and is still rather common on its marshy plains,
and on the Barren Grounds.
[193] The American Bittern, _Botaurus lentiginosus_ (Montagu), is fairly
common in the marshes about Hudson Bay north to the vicinity of York
Factory.
[194] The Esquimaux Curlew of Pennant ("Arct. Zool.," ii. p. 461, 1785)
is really the Hudsonian Curlew, _Numenius hudsonicus_ (Latham), and
Hearne of course follows Pennant in this error. It is still a common
species on the west coast of Hudson Bay. The smaller one, which is the
real Eskimo Curlew, _Numenius borealis_ (Forster), was formerly very
abundant, but is now, unhappily, nearly or quite extinct.
[195] Apparently the common Snipe, _Gallinago delicata_ (Ord.).
[196] The Hudsonian Godwit, _Limosa hæmastica_ (Linn.). This name was
based on the drawing of a specimen from Hudson Bay. It breeds in the
marshes on the west coast of the Bay, probably nearly throughout its
length.
[197] The Spotted Godwit of Pennant ("Arct. Zool.," ii. p. 467, 1785) is
the Greater Yellowlegs, _Totanus melanoleucus_ (Gmel.).
[198] _Arenaria morinella_ (Linn.). The Turnstone is abundant along the
west coast of Hudson Bay in migration, and doubtless breeds about its
northern shores, though I am not aware that its nest has actually been
discovered there.
[CK] They exactly correspond with the bird described by Mr. Pennant,
except that they are much longer.
[199] _Charadrius dominicus_ Müller. Formerly very abundant, as Hearne
intimates, but now very much reduced in numbers. It breeds about the
northern shores of Hudson Bay.
[200] _Cepphus mandti_ (Mandt). This Guillemot is abundant on Hudson Bay
and the neighbouring waters to the northward.
[201] _Gavia immer_ (Brünn.). This is perhaps the least abundant of the
Loons found on Hudson Bay, though common in the lakes of the interior.
[202] _Gavia adamsi_ (Gray). Hearne's statement that the bird has a
white bill shows that he refers to the present species, though a
Black-throated Loon, _Gavia pacifica_ (Lawrence), is common there.
Perhaps he confuses the two. At any rate, _G. adamsi_ is abundant over
much of the country traversed by him on his Coppermine journey, but I am
not aware that it has been detected as far east as Hudson Bay.
[203] _Gavia stellata_ (Pontoppidan). Abundant in the lake-studded
country bordering Hudson Bay.
[204] Though in all probability several species are included under this
heading, the commonest is the widely distributed Herring Gull, _Larus
argentatus_ Pontoppidan. The "Grey Gull" following is undoubtedly the
young of the same species.
[205] Jaegers, _Stercorarius_, of which perhaps the commonest, and the
one suggested by Hearne's description, is _S. pomarinus_. It is
probable, however, that both _S. parasiticus_ and _S. longicaudus_ (the
former of which is the more abundant) also came under his observation.
[206] Plainly referring to the Arctic Tern, _Sterna paradisæa_ Brünn. An
excessively abundant species on the west coast of Hudson Bay.
[207] _Pelecanus erythrorhynchos_ Gmel., has been taken on Hudson Bay
only as a rare straggler, but is abundant in the Cumberland House
region.
[CL] In the Fall of 1774, when I first settled at Cumberland House, the
Indians imposed on me and my people very much, by selling us Pelican fat
for the fat of the black bear. Our knowledge of the delicacy of the
latter induced us to reserve this fat for particular purposes; but when
we came to open the bladders, it was little superior to train oil, and
was only eatable by a few of my crew, which at that time consisted only
of eight Englishmen and two of the home Indians from York Fort.
Cumberland House was the first inland settlement the Company made from
Hudson's Fort; and though begun on so small a scale, yet upon it and
Hudson's House, which is situated beyond it, upwards of seventy men were
now employed.
[208] _Mergus serrator_ Linn. This species is still very abundant on the
coast of Hudson Bay, as well as in the interior.
[209] The smaller Swan is _Olor columbianus_ (Ord.), formerly very
abundant on Hudson Bay, and still occurring in some numbers during
migrations. It breeds on the islands in the northern parts of the Bay,
and in other parts of the far North.
The larger Whooping Swan, _Olor buccinator_ (Richardson), formerly bred
about the southern part of the Hudson Bay region, and also far
northward. In the wholesale destruction of these magnificent birds, this
species has suffered most.
[CM] Mr. Pennant, in treating of the Whistling Swan, takes notice of the
formation of the Windpipe; but on examination, the windpipes of both the
species which frequent Hudson's Bay are found to be exactly alike,
though their note is quite different. The breast-bone of this bird is
different from any other I have seen; for instead of being sharp and
solid, like that of a goose, it is broad and hollow. Into this cavity
the windpipe passes from the valve, and reaching quite down to the
abdomen, returns into the chest, and joins the lungs. Neither of the
species of Swan that frequent Hudson's Bay are mute: but the note of the
larger is much louder and harsher than that of the smaller.
[210] _Branta canadensis_ (Linn.). This large goose is the earliest to
arrive in spring, and is the most southern breeder, nesting throughout
the wooded country.
[211] _Branta canadensis hutchinsi_ (Richardson). This smaller form of
the Canada Goose was named in honour of Thomas Hutchins, a Hudson's Bay
Company officer who made natural history collections on Hudson Bay, and
was the first to call attention to this race. It breeds on the Barren
Grounds.
[212] _Chen hyperboreus nivalis_ (Forster). This larger form of _C.
hyperboreus_ was first described from Severn River specimens. Though
much reduced in numbers, it still breeds about the northern part of
Hudson Bay, and is an important food species in the region.
[213] _Chen cærulescens_ (Linn.). First described from a Hudson Bay
specimen. According to the natives it breeds in the interior of northern
Ungava; west of Hudson Bay, it is known only as a straggler. It winters
in the Mississippi valley and on the Atlantic coast.
[214] This is the first account of _Chen rossi_, formally described by
Cassin in 1861 from specimens taken on Great Slave Lake. It is almost
unknown on Hudson Bay, but is abundant in migrations about Great Slave
and Athabaska lakes. It breeds somewhere to the northward of this
region, but its summer home is unknown.
[CN] Mr. Moses Norton.
[215] _Anser albifrons gambeli_ Hartl. An inhabitant of the west coast
of Hudson Bay, but more common in the Mackenzie valley.
[216] Probably referring, as Hearne suggests, to abnormally large and
perhaps barren individuals of the Canada Goose (_Branta canadensis_).
[217] _Branta bernicla glaucogastra_ (Brehm). Still occurring in some
numbers along the west coast of Hudson Bay, in migrations, and breeding
about its northern shores.
[218] Both _Somateria mollissima borealis_ (Brehm), and _S. dresseri_
Sharpe, occur about the north-west coast of Hudson Bay in summer, and
doubtless both breed there. The King Eider also, _S. spectabilis_
(Linn.), migrates down the coast, but probably breeds farther to the
north.
[219] The Bean Goose, _Anser fabalis_ (Latham), is of very doubtful
occurrence in the Hudson Bay region.
[CO] It is, however, no less true, that the late Mr. Humphry Martin,
many years Governor of Albany Fort, sent home several hundred specimens
of animals and plants to complete that collection; but by some mistake,
nothing of the kind was placed to the credit of his account. Even my
respected friend Mr. Pennant, who with a candour that does him honour,
has so generously acknowledged his obligations to all to whom he thought
he was indebted for information when he was writing his Arctic Zoology,
(see the Advertisement,) has not mentioned his name; but I am fully
persuaded that it entirely proceeded from a want of knowing the person;
and as Mr. Hutchins succeeded him at Albany in the year 1774, every
thing that has been sent over from that part has been placed to his
account.
[220] _Somateria spectabilis_ (Linn.).
[221] Probably _Anas rubripes_ Brewster.
[222] _Anas platyrhynchos_ Linn.
[223] _Dafila acuta_ (Linn.).
[224] _Mareca americana_ (Gmel.).
[225] _Nettion carolinense_ (Gmel.).
[226] _Mareca americana_ (Gmel.). The American Widgeon occurs on the
west coast of Hudson Bay north to the tree-limit, but is not common
there.
[227] The Common Teal of the west coast of Hudson Bay is _Nettion
carolinense_ (Gmel.), which occurs in numbers well into the Barren
Grounds. The Blue-winged Teal, _Querquedula discors_ (Linn.), has been
taken there, but is excessively rare.
[228] _Ribes oxyacanthoides_ Linn. A species of very wide distribution
in the north. It is usually common about the trading posts.
[229] _Vaccinium vitisidæa_ Linn. An abundant species; reaches its
greatest perfection near the northern border of the forest.
[230] _Empetrum nigrum_ Linn. The crowberry is very abundant about Fort
Churchill and northward.
[231] _Rubus chamæmorus_ Linn. The cloudberry or baked-apple berry is
abundant throughout the country treated by Hearne.
[232] The northern red currant, _Ribes rubrum_ Linn., and the black
currant, _Ribes hudsonianum_ Richardson, are species of wide
distribution in the north.
[233] Apparently Hearne refers to _Juniperus nana_ Willd., the dwarf
juniper, since Richardson gives the same Indian name as applied by the
Crees to this shrub. Granting this, Hearne's creeping pine is _Juniperus
sabina_ Linn., shrubby red cedar. Both species extend northward to the
tree-limit.
[CP] The Indians call the Juniper-berry Caw-caw-cue-minick, or the
Crowberry.
[CQ] The Oteagh-minick of the Indians, is so called, because it in some
measure resembles a heart.
[234] Probably _Fragaria canadensis_ Michx.
[235] Probably _Rubus arcticus_ Linn. A pretty little plant, similar in
distribution to the cloudberry.
[236] _Vaccinium uliginosum_ Linn. A low blueberry of wide distribution.
The fruit is excellent.
[237] Probably _Comandra Livida_ Rich.
[238] Evidently, from his description, Hearne here refers to the Alpine
bearberry, _Arctous alpina_ (Linn.). It is abundant throughout the
region.
[239] Apparently referring to the common rose of the region, _Rosa
acicularis_ Lindl. An abundant and very beautiful species.
[240] Hearne refers here to the two species of _Ledum. L. groenlandicum_
OEder is the broad-leaved sort, generally distributed through the
wooded country, and extending a little into the Barren Grounds. _L.
palustre_ Linn. is a smaller narrow-leaved species, which overlaps the
range of the larger sort, and extends much farther north.
[241] This refers to the common bearberry, _Arctostaphylos uva-ursi_
(Linn.). Its leaves are smoked both by the Indians and the Eskimo, and
also by the white residents.
[242] _Picea alba_ (Ait.) and _P. mariana_ (Mill.).
[243] _Larix laricina_ (Du Roi).
[244] _Populus balsamifera_ Linn., and _P. tremuloides_ Michx.
[245] _Betula nana_ Linn.
[246] A number of dwarf willows, including _Salix anglorum_ Cham., _S.
phylicifolia_ Linn., and _S. reticulata_ Linn., grow on the coast of
Hudson Bay to the northward of Fort Churchill.
[247] _Betula papyrifera_ Marsh, from whose bark the Indians make their
canoes.
[248] The common alder of the interior is _Alnus alnobetula_ (Ehrh.).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ANDERSON, JAMES. Letters from Chief Factor James Anderson to Sir
George Simpson, Governor in chief of Rupert Land. Communicated
by the Hudson's Bay Company. _Jour. Roy. Geog. Soc._, vol. 26
(1856), pp. 18-25.
ANDERSON, JAMES. Extracts from Chief Factor James Anderson's
Journal. Communicated by Sir John Richardson. _Jour. Roy. Geog.
Soc._, vol. 27 (1857), pp. 321-328.
ARROWSMITH, A. Map exhibiting all the new discoveries in the
interior parts of North America, Jan. 1, 1795, with additions to
1811.
BACK, CAPTAIN (SIR GEORGE). Narrative of the Arctic Land
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years 1833, 1834, and 1835. London, 1836. 8vo. Maps and plates.
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BRYCE, GEORGE. The Remarkable History of the Hudson's Bay
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