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sary for me to add that no spices were put in the pan ; yet, I
thought the dish delicious, and was convinced that the men had not
deceived me in promising to supply me with an excellent dinner.
But, I do not say that I did not grieve over the desolation brought
to so many families in the little straggling village of flyers. The
heart-rending notes of those sorrowing mothers, who had been
deprived of the objects of their tender solicitude, produced thoughts
and feelings that my rude travelling companions could certainly not
suspect while they were greedily devouring the delicate and suc-
culent meal they had prepared.
The Whip-poor-will is a most annoying bird, from the noise it
makes all night long with its monotonous notes that voyageurs think
resemble the words " Bois Pourri"but the English ear takes for
" whip-poor-will."
But I like the Pisk better, as it catches mosquitoes in the evening
on the wing, and swallows at least a few of these gnats, the enemies
of voyageurs, whose rest they interrupt—even when most required.
after long journeys and fatigue.
Besides the two preceding species, the family of Syndactyles
furnishes the belted king-fisher, which feeds on fish it catches, at
the surface of the water, while on the wing.
IV.----FOURTH ORDER.
Rasores or Gallinaceous Birds.
The sight of suffering and privation, and man's experience of
them, naturally inclines the mind to attach more importance to, and
to feel more interest in, that which is useful than that which is
pretty and agreeable. And, it will not cause surprise if, in this
imperfect sketch of the ornithology of the Northern Department,
I place more value on the orders to which I have yet to refer, than
on those we have now rapidly glanced at.
The first order which attracts attention, are the Gallinaceous
Birds. God, in His bounty, has furnished us—first and foremost—
with two genera and eight species of this order. Man has added,
by importation, three species—one aUied with an indigenous genus.