Keith, George. An Account of Mackenzie River (Letters to Roderick Mackenzie), 1807-1817. An electronic transcription. MFTP #0033

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l'Espervier, l'Emerion, the Canard de France agreed to change the colour of their Feathers, (at that time all the species were white) which they effected, but by what means is not known. Immediately after this Event Corbeau or Raven made his appearance; Come, says l'Espervier to the Corbeau, look at my Feathers, are they not beautiful? would you not wish to have a Coat like mine? Hold your peace, rejoined the Corbeau, with your crooked bill, is not white handsomer than any other colour? The others argued with the Corbeau to consent, but he remained inflexible, which so exasperated l'Espervier &c that they determined to revenge this affront, and each taking a burned coal in his bill, they blackened him all over and those who could swim, took refuge in the river, the others escaped by their superior swiftness in flying. The Corbeau in the meantime enraged at this treatment and determined not to be singular, espied a flock of des Etourneaux, and without shaking off the black dust from his Feathers,

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L E G E N D :
 in red , modifications made by the editor(s).
 in lavender , modifications made by the assumed author(s).

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