Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/66

40 shot in the neighbourhood of the ship. This completes our list up to the end of May. In March a Wolf suddenly made his appearance; and the same day the track of three Musk Oxen or Reindeer were seen within two miles of the ship, but they had evidently only paid us a flying visit.

"In July six Musk Oxen were shot, the only ones seen in our neighbourhood. The travelling parties were only slightly more fortunate in obtaining game.

"In June a few Ptarmigan, Ducks, and Geese were shot, and used by the sick. In July and August they obtained a ration of fresh meat daily.

"In March and the beginning of April about two dozen Ptarmigan passed the ship, flying towards the N.W. in pairs: finding no vegetation uncovered by snow in our neighbourhood, they flew on, seeking better feeding grounds, and were nearly all shot subsequently by the outlying parties near Cape Joseph Henry. In the middle of May, Snow Buntings and Knots arrived. A number of the young of the latter were killed in July, but no nests or eggs were found. Early in June, Ducks and Geese passed, in small flocks of about a dozen, flying towards the N.W., but owing to a heavy fall of snow, lasting three days, which covered the land more completely than at any other time during our stay, at least half the number returned to the southward, not pleased with their prospects so far north.

"Two dozen small Trout were caught during the autumn and summer in lakes from which they could not possibly escape to the sea.

"The total game list for the neighbourhood of the 'Alert's' winter quarters is as follows: —

"In winter quarters—Musk Oxen, 6; Hares, 7; Geese, 67; King Ducks, 12; Longtailed Ducks, 9; Seal, 1; Foxes, 3.

"By short service sledging parties—Hares, 13; Geese, 3; King Ducks, 5; Ptarmigan, 10.

"Total—Musk Oxen, 6; Hares, 20; Geese, 70; King Ducks, 17; Longtailed Ducks, 9; Ptarmigan, 10; Seal, 1; and Foxes, 3."

At the lakes in the neighbourhood of Cape Beechy, on the voyage home (August 4th) a number of Geese were found, all unable to fly; the old ones moulting were nearly all featherless, and the young ones, although well-grown, were yet unfledged. Fifty-seven were captured (p. 77).

The species of Goose is not named, but in all probability it was the Brent. On this, however, as well as on many other points of interest, we shall no doubt be duly enlightened in the forthcoming special Report of the Naturalists to the Expedition.