Portaging Cascades of the Columbia upstream — John Ordway: April 6, 1806

up and Set out proceeded on verry well about 8 miles and halted
at the Camp of our hunters they having killed 3 Elk in a bottom
S. Side 8 men went out for the meat Ruben Fields killed a
curious handsom bird which made a curious noises it had blue
feathers on its breast and under its throat and 2 long feathers on
338 WISCONSIN HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS [April 7
the top of its head the longest 3 Inches long & a handsome Small
bird, he Skined it and it is taken care of to carry home with us.
in the evening the men returned with the meat of 5 Elk having
found 2 more than they expected which the hunters had killed.
So we Camped here for the night in a Small willow bottom near
high river hills on South Side1 eat & fleased the greater part of
of the Elk meat to dry &C.