Place Names of British Columbia

On Prospect Point, in the evening glow Or a sunset's mirrored glory. I glanced above where an ancient crow Was telling a bed-time story.

Perched on a bough, this jolly old bird Recalled, for a young relation, What a hundred years ago he'd heard And seen from his lofty station.

"June, ninety-two (Ah! Then I was young), As I sat on this tree in the gloaming, A queer sort of fish with fins outflung In from the sea came roaming.

("I know better now, for the fish was a boat And the fins were oars to move her), There jumped ashore, in a bright blue coat, A man they called Captain Vancouver.

"I flew quite near as he spoke to the mate— Or as sailors say, came fur-rard— He'd name this place, I heard him state, For his friend, Sir Harry Burrard.

"Now I'm getting old, and my hearing's hard, So it may be I'm mistaken; But you'd better look out if you say Burrard, Or George, from his grave will awaken."

If this tale of a centenarian crow Smacks rather of myth and mystery, Why then, Dear Reader, we'll let it go As a bit of un-Natural History.