Clark: February 24, 1806

Monday February 24th 1806 Our Sick are Still on the recovery. Shannon and
Labiche returned in the forenoon, they had killed no Elk, and reported
that they believe the Elk have returned from their former haunts and gorn
further back in the mountains to a considerable distance from this place.
this is very unwelcom information, for poore and inferior as the flesh of
this animale is, it is our principal dependance for Subsistance.

The Rackoon is found in the woody Country on the Coast in considerable
quantities. the nativs take a fiew of them in Snars, and deadfalls; tho
appear not to value their Skins much, and but Seldom prepare them for
robes. The large Grey Squirel appear to be a native of a narrow tract of
Country on the upper Side of the mountains below the Great falls of
Columbia which is pritty well covered in maney parts with a Species of
white oak. this animal is much larger than the Gray Squirel of our
Country, it resembles it much in form and colour. it is as large as the
Fox Squirel of the South Atlantic States. the tail is reather larger than
the whole of the body and head, the hair of which is long and tho inserted
on all Sides reispect the horozontal one. the eyes are black, whiskers
black and long. the back, Sides, head, tale and outer parts of the legs
are of a blue lead colour grey. the breast, belly, and inner parts of the
legs are of a pure white. the hair is Short as that of the Fox Squirel but
is much finer and intermixed with a propotion of fur. the nativs make
great use of those Skins in forming their robes. this Squirel Subsists
principally on the acorn and filburts, which last also grow abundantly in
the Oak Country-. The Small brown Squirel is a butifull little animal
about the size of the red Squirel of the E. States or Something larger
than the ground Squirel of the U States. the tail is as long as the body
and neck formed Somewhat Hat. the eyes black, whiskers long and black but
not abundant. the back, Sides, head, neck and outer parts of the legs are
of a redish dark brown. the throat, breast, belly and inner parts of the
legs are of a pale brick red. the tail is a mixture of black and fox
coloured red in which the black prodomonates in the middle, and the other
on the edges and extremity. the hair of the body is about 1/2 inch long
and So fine and soft that it has the appearance of fur. the hair of the
tail is coarser and double as long. this animal Subsists principally on
the Seeds of various Species of pine and are always found in the piney
Country. they are common to the tract of woody country on this coast. they
lodge in Clefts of rocks, holes in the Ground, old Stumps of trees and the
hollow trunks of falling timber; in this respect resemble the rat always
haveing their habitation in or near the earth. The Small Grey Squirel
Common to every part of the Rocky Mountains which is timbered, differ from
the dark brown squirel just discribed only in its colour.

it’s back, neck, Sides, head, tail and outer Sides of the legs are of
brown lead coloured Grey; the tail has a Slight touch of the fox colour
near the extremity of some of the hairs. the throat, belly, breast, and
inner part of the legs are of the Colour of tanners ooze and have a narrow
Stripe of black commencing behing each Sholder and extending
longitudinally for about 3 inches between the Colours of the Side &
belly. their habits are also the Same with the dark brown Squirel of this
neighbourhood, and like them are extreamly nimble and active. The Ground
Squirel is found in various parts of the Countrey as well the Praries as
wood lands, and is one of the fiew animals which we have Seen in every
part of our voy-age. it differs not at all from those of the U, States.

The Barking Squirel and handsom Ground Squirel of the Plains on the East
Side of the Rocky Mountains are not found in the plains of the Columbia.

This evening we were visited by Comowooll the Clatsop Chief and 14 men
women and Children of his nation. Drewyer came a pasinger in their Canoe,
and brought with him two dogs. the Chief and his party had brought for
Sale a Sea otter Skin, Some hats, Sturgeon and a Species of fish which now
begins to run and are taken in Great quantities in the Columbia River
about 40 miles above us by means of Skiming or scooping nets. See likeness
on the other Side of this leaf or page. Capt Lewis gave an old Coat and
Vest for a Sea otter Skin, we purchased Several hads of the Indian
manufactry and distributed them among the party. we also purchased a fiew
of the Small fish which we found deliciously fine.