[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.