Connecticut western news., 1884-04-30


 about the same in size and as strong in growth as in the Eastern States. Several species of the saxafrage grow in that re- zion, and the little buttercup Is a com in bloom in early spring, the plant being in some favored place where the sun reached it and where projection of snow protected it from the cold wind. A blue bell similar to our own grows on the low lands, while several species of poppies are found, the most prominent of which is small yellow variety. This poppy blossoms and fades quickly, and while the flower is passing away a small yellow butterfly frequents the bloom and feeds thereon. The Indians believe the poppy changes into the butterfly, and hence both are called "lucky-tucky J ackson. A small Arctic willow grows under the surface of the moss, and one shrub will sometimes cover an area of several rods. No grass can be found, except along the seashore, where Q small, coarse, wiry species Is found.
 Meade River is sixty miles from the station, and there we find small, scraggy willow about four feet high. This river is tortuous, about two hundred yards wide at its mouth and flows northeasterly into the Arctic Ocaan. Ten miles further on is the Tck-pick-pon River (the river of big clifs) and the same willow Is found there. In both of these rivers whitefsh, trout and few salmon trout are found. Large game is seldom seen in that local ity. Occasionally a stray deer wanders there. Ray says he does not believe the ground cariboo deer is ever. found north of latitude 70 degrees. The large gray Cor white) wolf is seen at intervals, and the white fox is found early in winter, but as the weather becomes more severe entirely disappears. Only five polar bears have been killed in that neighbor- hood in two years. Ray saw but one during his stay there. The black and red fox do not inhabit that region, but the natives have their skins, which are brought from the south.
 BIRDS OF THE FRIGID ZONE.
 Of the cider duck there are five species-the Pacific, king, spectacle, old squaw and stellar's elder. The brant, white-fronted and Arctic goose frequent this locality. The Canada goose has been seen about one hundre,4 miles further south and west. These and other birds migrate northward at defi- nite atime each year. In 1882 they appeared on the 18th of May, and in 1883 they came one day later. In their flight they draw across the American continent, and it is Rays opinion that they go to Prince Patrick's Land. Ray also believes there is no habitable land due north for man, beast or fowl, as there is no migration in that direction in the spring, nor do the birds return from due north in the fall. Birds re- turn in July in small hocks passing south, although the king and Pacific re- mained near the Point as long as there was open water. A few struggling geese and ducks built their hatcheries near the Point, along the seashore, and in less than six weeks from the time the bird is matched out it is strong enough to fly southward with the elder ones. Of the small waders the fallarones and sand pipers hatch in immense numbers on the mainland, coming in May and leaving about the 1st of September, and all de- parting at once. The murr-the small Arctic diver-remains longer than any other bird. They have been frequently caught in the breathing holes of the seal in November. There are three species of the loon-the great North diver, the red throat and the black throat. The little snow bunting comes early in April, forerunner of spring. Ray describes this bird with a note like skylark-a single bar-and the bird towers when it sings. 1t is the only place he ever heard them sing so sweetly. A few crane of the Richardson species are found here, and several species of the seagull-the burgomaster, ivory, and blue wing, several species of the tern and skewers, sabines, and rosegull. The large, white Arctic owl was found, but few in number. The owlis wary bird, and seen in that region as well by day as by night, and consequently was the most difficult to capture. Lemmings were also found in goodly numbers, but the marmot was very scarce. A large collection of specimens have been made for the Smithsonian Institution at Wash. ington, including every animal and bird seen in that section, and the eggs of all the birds. In this respect Ray has ex celled all others.