Lewis: March 7, 1806

Friday March 7th 1806. The wind was so high that Comowol did not leave us
untill late this evening. Labuish and Drewyer returned at sunset having
killed one Elk only. they report that there are some scattering male Elk
in the neighbourhood of the place they killed this one or about 5 miles up
the Netul on this side.Bratton is much wose today, he complains of
a violent pain in the small of his back and is unable in consequence to
set up. we gave him one of our flanel shirts, applyed a bandage of flannel
to the part and bathed and rubed it well with some vollatile linniment
which I prepared with sperits of wine, camphor, castile soap and a little
laudinum. he felt himself better in the evening.the large blue and
brown herons, or Crams as they are usually called in the U States are
found on this river below tidewater. they are the same with those of the U
States. the fishing hawk with the crown of the head White and back of a
mealy white, and the blue crested or King fisher are found on every part
of the Columbia and it’s waters and are the same with those of the U
States. the fishing hawk is not abundant particularly in the mountains.
there are four speceis of larus or gull on this coast and river, 1st a
small speceis about the size of a pigeon; white except some black spots
about the head and a little brown on the but of the wings, 2nd a speceis
somewhat larger of a light brown colour with a whitish or mealy coloured
back. 3rd the large grey gull, or white larus with a greyish brown back
and a light grey belley and breast, about the size of a well grown pullet
or reather larger. the wings are remarkably long in proportion to the size
of the body and it’s under chap towards the extremity is more gibbous and
protuberant than in either of the other speceis. 4th a white gull about
the size of the second with a remarkable beak; adjoining the head and at
the base of the uper Chap there is an elivated orning of the same
substance with the beak which forms the nostrils; it is some what in this
forma the feet are webbed and the legs and feet of a yellow colour. the
form of the wings body &c are much that of the second species. the
large grey gull is found on the river as high as the entrance of the
Kooskooske and in common with the other speceis on the coast; the others
appear to be confined to tidewater; and the fourth speceis not so common
as either of the others. the cormorant is a large black duck which feeds
on fish; I perceive no difference between it and those found in the
Potomac and other rivers on the Atlantic Coast. tho I do not recollect
seeing those on the atlantic so high up the rivers as those are found
here. we first met with them on the Kooskooske at the entrance of
Chopunnish river. they increased in quantity as we decended, and formed
much the greatest portion of the waterfowl which we saw on the Columbia
untill we reached tidewater where they also abound but do not bear a
similar proportion to the other fowls found in this quarter.

There are two speceis of loons. 1st the Speckled loon found on every part
of the rivers of this country. they are the same size colours and form
with those of the Atlantic coast. the second speceis we first met with at
the great falls of the Columbia and from thence down. this bird is not
more than half the size of the speckled loon, it’s neck is long, slender
and white in front. the Colour of the body and back of the neck and head
are of a dun or ash colour, the breast and belley are white. the beak is
like that of the speckled loon and like them it cannot fly but flutters
along on the top of the warter or dives for security when pursued.