nights of the fur countries, has been woven into and forms the
burden of many a voyageur's song. In some parts of the United States
the caccawee is called `south-southerly,' as its voice is there thought
to resemble this phrase, while at the time when most heard--the autumn--
these ducks are observed flying in a southerly direction.

"Besides these," continued Lucien, "there are the teals--blue and
green-winged--and the coots, and the widgeon--slightly differing from
the widgeon of Europe--and there is the rare and beautiful little ruddy
duck (_Anas rubida_), with its bright mahogany colour--its long upright
tail and short neck--that at a distance give it the appearance of a duck
with two heads. And there is the well-known `pintail,' and the
`pochard' or `red-head;' and the `mallard,' from which comes the common
domestic variety, and the `scoter,' and `surf,' and `velvet,' and
`dusky,' ducks--these last four being all, more or less, of a dark
colour. And there are the `shell-drakes,' or `fishers,' that swim low
in the water, dive and fly well, but walk badly, and feed altogether on
fish. These, on account of their toothed bills, form a genus of
themselves--the `mergansers,'--and four distinct species of them are
known in America."

The approach of night, and the necessity of landing, to make their night
camp, brought Lucien's lecture to a close. Indeed Francois was glad
when it ended, for he was beginning to think it somewhat tedious.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

THE SHRIKE AND THE HUMMING-BIRDS.

The picturesque scenery of the Elk appeared to be a favourite resort
with the feathered creation. Here our voyageurs saw many kinds of
birds; both those that migrate into the fur countries during summer, and
those that make their home there in the cold, dark days of winter.
Among the former were observed,--the beautiful blue bird of Wilson
(_Sialia Wilsoni_) which, on account of its gentle and innocent habits,
is quite as much esteemed in America as the "robin" in England. Another
favourite of the farmer and the homestead, the purple martin, was seen
gracefully wheeling through the air; while, among the green leaves,
fluttered many brilliant birds. The "cardinal grosbeak" (_Pitylus
cardinalis_) with his bright scarlet wings; the blue jay, noisy and
chattering; the rarer "crossbill" (_Loxia_) with its deep crimson
colour; and many others, equally bright and beautiful, enlivened the
woods, either with their voice or th