Chapter III: {i}18 (9)

They chose a different route from that which they had taken in ascending, intending to descend to the river, with the hope of being able to travel along its bed. They were obliged to assist each other in lowering themselves down precipices; they would have found it impossible to pass singly. On the southern declivity of the mountain, they met with a few ripe currants, but these were hard and juiceless, of a sweetish taste, and aggravated, instead of alleviating their thirst, and were probably the cause of a violent head-ache, with which several of the party were affected soon after eating them. There were also found a few large and delicious raspberries, of a species approaching the flowering raspberry (rubus odoratus), but with smaller leaves, and a more branching stem.

After descending from the more precipitous parts about the summit of the mountain, they crossed along a rugged tract, buried and rendered almost impassable by boulders and fragments which had fallen from above, and were at length so fortunate as to {194} find a spring of cool water, and a shade, in a narrow ravine; where they sat down to rest and dine on the provision they had brought.

The men who were with them stopped in the same ravine, a few rods below. One of these was violently attacked, immediately after drinking of the water, with headache, vomiting, and purging, which increased to such an alarming degree, that he was presently unable to stand upon his feet. As it was feared he would not soon be able to walk, Mr. Peale undertook to return alone to camp, and give notice of his situation, and return with medicine and assistance.

He descended along a rough and obstructed ravine, until he arrived at the Platte, but found the valley so confined as to be impassable, and again directed his course towards the north-east, attempting to regain the route which the party had taken in ascending. After a most rugged and fatiguing march of about six miles, he arrived at camp late in the afternoon. Here he found a number of the party suffering in a similar manner, but not so severely as the man he had left in the mountains. Two men were immediately despatched in search of the disabled party.

Mr. Peale had left them but a short time, when their attention was called to the noise as of some large animal running up the narrow defile in which they were sitting; on turning round they perceived a large bear advancing at full speed towards the place where they were. Seizing their rifles, they fired upon him at the distance of about ten steps, but the bear, without stopping or turning his head, mounted an almost perpendicular precipice of about thirty feet, and was out of sight in an instant.

At this spot, which was several miles within the mountains, and elevated nearly to the limit of phænogamous vegetation, the common hop (H. lupulus) was growing in perfection; also the box elder (acer negundo, Ph.), the common sarsaparilla of the eastern {195} States (aralia nudicaulis), the spikenard (A. vacemora), and many other common plants.

After waiting about two hours, they found the sick man so far recovered as to be able to stand upon his feet and walk a little. They therefore relieved him of his gun and other luggage, and moved by short stages towards camp, where they arrived at a late hour in the evening.[145]

[145] Among many plants collected in this excursion, some of them new to us, we recognized an old acquaintance in the bearberry (Arbutus _uva-ursi_, L.) an inhabitant of the mountainous districts of New York and New England; also the Dodecatheon _integrifolium_, Ph.; and a beautiful little plant referable to the genus Mentzelia of Plumier. On the higher parts of the mountain an oak is common, approaching in character to the Quercus _banisteri_, Mx. Also a small undescribed acer, the Juniperus _communis_ and I. _virginiana_; in the ravines, the Rhus _toxicodendron_, Spiræa _opulifolia_, olc; and at the base of the mountains the Prenanthes _runcinata, leaves runcinate pinnatifid, ⅔ inches long, five lines wide_. Resembles P. _Juncea_, Saxifraga _nivales_, L. A. cerastium, olc.—JAMES.

The men who had been sent out to their assistance returned some time afterwards, having sought for them without success.

On the morning,[146] soon after the departure of Dr. James's detachment, two of the party passed into the mountains on the left side of the river; they experienced much difficulty, and underwent much labour in scaling the steep ascents, and some hazard in descending the precipitous declivities which marked their course. The timber was small, scrubby, and scattered in the most favoured situation; and many of the solitary pines which occupied an elevated position, had evidently been the sport of furious tempests, being rived and seamed by lightning. Upon surmounting one of the elevations, they observed on a projecting ledge of the succeeding mountain two elk grazing, which seemed to be at a very short distance; and in consequence of this deceptive appearance were magnified into a vast size. The party were surprized at the apparent heedlessness of these animals, which remained peacefully feeding, whilst the party was clambering along the rocks in full view, until at length they majestically bounded off, leaving the authors of their alarm to measure the unexpected distance to the position they had occupied. To the right, and easy of access, was a projecting rock supporting a single humble cedar in one of its fissures, from which a stone let fall was received into the torrent of the river which washed its base. The huge rampart of naked rock which had been seen from below to stretch across {196} the valley, was now in nearer view, the river whirling abruptly around the acute angle of its extremity, and offering at its superior edge an embattled outline. They ascended a primitive mountain, which seemed to be of a superior elevation, in order to overlook the western ranges; but found their horizon bounded by the succeeding mountains towering majestically above them. To the east, over the tops of a few inferior elevations, lay expanded the vast interminable prairie over which we had so long held our mountainous march. The undulations which swell its surface now disappeared, and the whole lay like a map before the observer. They could trace the course of the Platte, and number the streams they had crossed, and others which they had before passed near, by the slight fringing of timber or bushes which margined their banks, and by an occasional glimpse of their streams shining like quicksilver, and interrupting and varying the continuity of the plain as they pursued their serpentine course. The atmosphere was remarkably serene, small clouds were coursing over the surface of the heavens, casting their swiftly moving shadows upon the earth, and enhancing the beauty of the contrast which the long lines of timber afforded to the general glare of light. After contemplating for some time the beauty and extent of the scene, their attention was attracted by a moving point, which occasionally became visible by reflecting the rays of the retiring sun. This object was our white flag, waving in a gentle breeze, and revealing the position of our camp, the only spot in the boundless landscape where the eye could rest on the work of human hands. The descent towards the river from this pinnacle was so precipitous, that much caution was requisite in attempting to gain the river towards which they now directed their course. Upon a step or resting place were several ponderous masses of rock, which, by the application of a little force, were readily overturned down the steep; and {197} we were amused by marking their impetuous and rapidly increasing motion as they rolled and bounded onward, until a surge and wide-thrown spray announced their reception into the bed of the river. Arriving at the river, it was found necessary to pass along in the stream, the margin not admitting sufficient foot-hold; this mode of progression, however, soon proved too painful and laborious, as the very unequal rocks with which the bottom was paved, were invested with a slime, and refused repose to the foot, the uncertain motion of which was only arrested by the opposition of an angular fragment, or the intervention of an interstice; we therefore again ascended the mountain side, and at length regained the plain.

[146] The words "of the same day" should here be inserted; so reads the Philadelphia edition.—ED.

Astronomical observations were attempted at camp, but in the middle of the day the moon was found to be too near the sun, and in the evening the sky was cloudy.

The sickness experienced by almost all the party was probably occasioned by eating of currants, which were abundant about the camp. It is not to be supposed this illness was caused by any very active deleterious quality in the fruit, but that the stomach, by long disuse, had in a great measure lost the power of digesting vegetable matter. Several continued unwell during the night.

On the morning of the 9th [8th] of July[147] we resumed our journey, travelling somewhat east of south along a small tributary of the Platte. The bed of this stream lies from south to north along a narrow valley, bounded on each side by high cliffs of sandstone. The rock is similar to that already mentioned, its strata having, however, less inclination than is observed nearer the base of the mountain. It is the margin of that great formation of secondary which occupies the plain, and appears as if broken off and thrown into an inclined position by some convulsion which changed the relative elevation of {198} the stratum. It is of great thickness, its laminæ in an almost vertical position, covering a surface of two or three, and sometimes many miles in width. On the eastern declivities of the first ranges of hills in places which may be supposed to have occupied the surface of the stratum in its original position, the rock is usually of a close grain and compact texture, and of a yellowish white or light gray colour.

[147] A series of erroneous dates begins here. The expedition undoubtedly left Platte Cañon July 8, of which day the text gives no account. July 9 was Sunday, instead of July 10, as the text states below. A compensating error is introduced by giving the date July 12 to accounts of the journeys of parts of two days. The Philadelphia edition also has the erroneous dating of the ninth, tenth, and eleventh, but includes the remainder of the chapter under the last date, thus failing entirely to account for the twelfth, and really including the operations of three days (tenth, eleventh, and twelfth) under date of July 11. The itinerary for these days is more accurately indicated on the map.—ED.

We observed, in various parts of the valley which traverse this sandstone district, several detached columnar masses, many of them bearing a striking resemblance to colossal ruins; also some insulated hills with perpendicular sides and level summits. These seem to be the remains of an extensive portion of the sandstone stratum which formerly covered the country to the level of their highest summits. They occur at considerable distance from the base of the primitive mountain, and their summits are occupied by horizontal strata of sandstone; for a small portion of the upper part of their elevation their sides are nearly perpendicular, but their bases are surrounded by an extensive accumulation of _débris_ sometimes rising nearly to the summit. After ascending the small stream before mentioned to its source, we crossed an inconsiderable ridge which separates it from the valley of Defile Creek. This we ascended to the place where its principal branch descends from the mountains. Here we encamped with the intention of resting on the following day, which was Sunday.[148]

[148] The camp of July 8 and 9 was probably near the site of Sedalia, at the confluence of the east and west forks of Plum (here called Defile) Creek.—ED.

July 10th [9th]. A beautiful species of pigeon was shot near the mountain. The head is of a purplish cinereous colour; the back of the neck, and its sides, brilliant golden-green; the feathers at base brownish purple; above this patch, and at base of head, is a white semi-band; the under part of the neck is pale vinaceous purplish; this colour becomes paler as it approaches the vent, which, with the inferior tail coverts, is white; anterior portion of the back, the {199} wing coverts and scapulars are brownish ash; the larger wing feathers dark brown, approaching black; the exterior edges whitish; the lower part of the back, the rump and tail coverts, inferior wing coverts and sides, bluish ash; paler beneath the wings; the shafts of the body-feathers and tail coverts are remarkably robust, tapering rather suddenly near the tips; the tail is medial, rounded at tip, consisting of twelve feathers, a definite black band at two-thirds their length from the base, before which the colour is bluish ash, and behind it dirty whitish; the bill is yellow, tipped with black, and somewhat gibbous behind the nostrils; the irides red; the feet yellow; claws black.

This species seems to be most intimately connected to the ring-tailed pigeon (C. caribæa), from which it differs in the colour of the legs and bill, and in not having the gibbosity at the base of the latter so remarkable. It is possible that it may be an intermediate link between the ring-tailed pigeon and the stock pigeon of Europe, with the latter of which it has, in common, the exterior white edging to the greater wing feathers. It may be distinguished by the name of band-tailed pigeon (columba fasciata, Say); and may be seen, with other specimens of natural objects collected on this expedition, in the Philadelphia Museum.

Several of the tributaries to Defile creek appear to discharge as much water as is seen in the stream below their junction. This appearance is common to many of the larger creeks, their broad and sandy beds allowing much of the water to sink, and pass off through the sand. In the evening, a favourable opportunity, the first for several days, presented, and observations for latitude were taken.

That part of Defile creek, near which we encamped, is filled with dams, thrown across by the beaver, causing it to appear rather like a succession of ponds than a continued stream. As we ascended {200} farther towards the mountains, we found the works of these animals still more frequent. The small willows and cotton-wood trees, which are here in considerable numbers, afford them their most favourite food.

At no great distance to the east of our camp was one of these peculiar hills above mentioned. In visiting it we crossed a ridge of sandstone, about three hundred feet in height, with strata inclined to the west. To this succeeds a valley, about one mile wide, having a scanty growth of pine and oak. The ascent of the hill is steep and rugged. Horizontal strata of sandstone and coarse conglomerate are exposed on its sides, and the summit is capped by thin stratum of compact sandstone, surmounted by a bed of greenstone trap, or trappea porphyry. The loose and splintery fragments of this rock sometimes cover the surface, making a clinking noise under the feet, like fragments of pottery.

The summit of this hill is of an oval form, about eight hundred yards in length and five hundred in breadth. Its surface is undulating, and is terminated on all sides by perpendicular precipices. The elevation of the hill is about one thousand feet, and the height of the perpendicular precipices, from the summit of the _débris_ to the top of hill, about fifty.

From the top of this hill, the high peak mentioned by Captain Pike, was discovered, and its bearing found to be S. 50. W.

Several of the party ascended Defile creek until they arrived at the mountains, into which they penetrated as far as was found practicable. As they travelled along the bed of this, they found the several rock formations beautifully exposed, and in the following order.

Commencing from the alluvial of the plain on the east, they saw:

First, Horizontal sandstone, embracing extensive {201} beds of coarse conglomeratic, and commonly of a light gray or reddish yellow colour.

Second, Fine compact gray sandstone, containing a few impressions of organized remains, resembling those in the sandstones of coal formations. This rock is inclined at an angle of near twenty degrees towards the west. It forms continuous ranges of hills, not difficult of ascent from the east, but their western declivities are abrupt and precipitous.

Third, Lofty and detached columns of sandstone, of a reddish or deep brown colour. These are irregularly scattered throughout a narrow untimbered valley. Some of them rise probably three hundred feet above the common level of the plain, and are so steep on all sides as to preclude the possibility of ascent. Others are accessible at some points, and one of these we ascended. Sketches of these singular rocks have been preserved both by Mr. Peale and Mr. Seymour.

Fourth, Coarse white pudding-stone or conglomeratic and sandstone, of a deep red colour, alternating with each other, and with beds of fine white sandstone, and resting against the granite in a highly inclined position. This rock contains well preserved remains of terebratulæ, productus, and other bivalve shells. These are usually found on or near the surface of large nodules of a fine flinty stone, closely resembling petrosilex. The same rock also contains an extensive bed of iron ore; and from its eastern side flows a copious brine spring.

About this spring, which had evidently been much frequented by animals, we saw the skulls of the male and female big horn, the bones of elk, bisons, and other animals.

The granite, which succeeds the sandstone last mentioned, is of a dark reddish brown colour, containing a large proportion of felspar, of the flesh-coloured variety, and black mica. The crystalline grains, or fragments of the felspar, are large, and {202} detached easily, so that the rock is in a state of rapid disintegration. This granite rises abruptly in immense mountain masses, and undoubtedly extends far to the west.

The little river, on which our camp is situated, pours down from the rugged side of the granitic mountain through a deep inaccessible chasm, forming a continued cascade of several hundred feet. From an elevation of one or two thousand feet on the side of the mountain, we were able to overlook a considerable extent of secondary region at its base. The surface appeared broken for several miles; and in many of the valleys we could discern columnar and pyramidal masses of sand-rock, sometimes entirely naked, and sometimes bearing little tufts of bushes about their summits.

Here met with a female bird, which closely resembles, both in size and figure, the female of the black game (tetrao tetrix); it is, however, of a darker colour, and the plumage is not so much banded; the tail also seems rather longer, and the feathers of it do not exhibit any tendency to curve outward, which, if we mistake not, is exhibited by the inner feathers of the tail of the corresponding one of the black game.

Its general colour is a black brown, with narrow bars of pale ocraceous; plumage near the base of the beak above tinged with ferruginous; each feather on the head, with a single band and slight tip, those of the neck, back, tail coverts, and breast, two bands and tip, the tips on the upper part of the back and on the tail coverts are broad and spotted with black, with the inferior band often obsolete; the throat and inferior portion of the upper sides of the neck are covered with whitish feathers, on each of which is a black band or spot; a white band on each feather of the breast, becoming broader on those nearer the belly; on the belly, the plumage is dull cinereous with concealed white lines on the shafts; {203} the wing coverts and scapulars, about two banded with a spotted tip and second band, and with the tip of the shaft white; the primaries and secondaries have whitish zigzag spots on their outer webs, the first feather of the former short, the second longer, the third, fourth, and fifth equal, longest feathers of the sides with two or three bands and white spot at the tip of the shaft; inferior tail coverts, white with a black band and base, and slightly tinged with ocraceous on their centres; legs feathered to the toes, and with the thighs pale, undulated with dusky; tail rounded with a broad terminal band of cinereous, on which are black zigzag spots; on the intermediate feathers are several ocraceous spotted bands, but these become obsolete and confined to the exterior webs on the lateral feathers, until they are hardly perceptible on the exterior pair; a naked space above and beneath the eyes. It may be distinguished by the name of the Dusky Grouse (tetrao obscurus, S.).

When this bird flew, it uttered a cackling note a little like that of the domestic fowl; this note was noticed by Lewis and Clarke in the bird which they speak of under the name of the cock of the plains, and to which Mr. Ord has applied the name of tetrao fusca; a bird which, agreeably to their description, appears to be different from this, having the legs only half booted; the "fleshy protuberance about the base of the upper chop," and "the long pointed tail" of that bird may possibly be sexual distinctions.

It appears by the observations of Lewis and Clarke, that several species of this genus inhabit the country which they traversed, particularly in this elevated range of mountains, from whence, amongst other interesting animals, they brought to Philadelphia a specimen of the spotted grouse (T. canadensis); which, together with the above described bird, are now preserved in the Philadelphia Museum, thus proving that the spotted grouse is an inhabitant of a portion of the territory of the United States.

{204} In the evening, a thunder-storm rose in the east. It appeared for some time to approach, the thunder being loud and frequent, but at length moved off towards the south-east, continuing visible in the horizon during great part of the night.

July 11th [10th and 11th]. From our encampment we travelled nearly south, and crossing a small ridge dividing the waters of the Platte from those of the Arkansa, we halted to dine on a tributary of the latter river.[149] In an excursion from this place, we collected a large species of columbine, somewhat resembling the common one of the gardens. It is heretofore unknown to the flora of the United States, to which it forms a splendid acquisition. If it should appear not to have been described, it may receive the name of aquilegia cœrulea.[150] Our road during the morning lay for about twelve miles close along the foot of the primitive mountain, having on our left some of the sandstone ridges and hills already described. On our right, the brown and naked granite rose in shapeless masses far above our heads; and occasionally, as we passed the deep fissures worn by the descending torrents, we caught a view of the distant summits glittering with eternal frosts. In the valleys towards the east were many insulated and lofty hills, with perpendicular sides, and level table-like summits. They are sometimes disposed in parallel, but interrupted ranges, and sometimes irregularly scattered, without any appearance of order. In every instance they were found to be the remains of extensive beds of sandstone; insulated portions of which had been preserved from disintegration, while all the contiguous parts had crumbled down and been washed away.

[149] The route described on the next few pages is an impossible one. Chittenden characterizes it as "wholly indefinite and unsatisfactory" (_American Fur Trade_, p. 59). The date "July 12th," on the next page, does not appear in the Philadelphia edition, and was apparently inserted to remedy the confusion; it increases it, however, since the accounts of the journeys of two days (July 10 and 11) are intermingled in the text itself. From the camp of July 8 and 9, the party might, by noon of the tenth, have arrived opposite Castle Rock, which gives its name to the present seat of justice of Douglas County. This, however, would not bring them to a tributary of the Arkansas; by noon of July 11 they could have reached the upper waters of Monument, a branch of Fountain Creek, which unites with the Arkansas at Pueblo. The camp of July 10 is probably accurately located on the map, a short distance below Castle Rock. On the morning of the eleventh, the direction taken was almost due south, across the watershed between the Platte and Arkansas, which at this point is almost on the line between Douglas and El Paso counties. The map exaggerates the length of Boiling Spring Creek (see succeeding volume, note 10), or Fountain Creek, a branch of which (Monument Creek) they first encountered almost on the county line. The afternoon march carried them somewhat south of the base of Pike's Peak, necessitating the retracing of their route on the morning of the twelfth. The route on the eleventh probably lay through the region now famous as the Garden of the Gods.—ED.

[150] A. _cœrulea_, JAMES.—Leaves twice ternate; flowers terminal, remote, nectaries strait and very long. It inhabits shady woods of pine and spruce within the mountains, rising sometimes to the height of three feet. In passing from the headwaters of the branch of the Platte, called Defile creek, to those of one of the northern tributaries of the Arkansa, we noticed some change in the soil, and soon met with many plants we had not before seen. Several of these, as the common juniper and the red cedar, (Juniperus _virginiana_, Ph.) the black and hemlock-spruce, (Abies _nigra_ and A. _canadensis_) the red maple (Acer rubrum, Mx.) the hop horn-beam (Ostrya Virginica, L.) the Populus _tremuloides_, Mx. Pinus _resinosa_, Pyrola _secunda_, Orchis _dilatata_, olc. are common to mountainous districts in all the northern parts of the territory of the United States; many others are here found, which require more careful and extensive comparison with the plants of Mexico, Siberia, and other countries, than have yet had the opportunity to make.—JAMES.

One of these singular hills, of which Mr. Seymour has preserved a sketch, was called the Castle Rock, on account of its striking resemblance to a work of art. It has columns, and porticoes and arches, and {205} when seen from a distance has an astonishingly regular and artificial appearance.

July 12th. [10th and 11th cont'd.]. On approaching it, the base is found enveloped in an extensive accumulation of soil, intermixed with fragments of rapidly disintegrating sandstone. The lower portions of the perpendicular sides of the rock are of loosely cemented pudding-stone, but the summit is capped by a compact and somewhat durable sand-rock. This is surmounted by a scanty soil, in which are a few stinted oaks and junipers.

We had seen no bisons for several days, but in the afternoon a few were discovered at a distance from our course, and three men despatched in pursuit of them. They were grazing on the side of a hill near a mile distant. As provisions were growing scarce with us, we watched the progress of the hunters with some anxiety. At length the firing commenced, and we enjoyed a distant, though distinct view of the animating spectacle of a bison hunt. In a short time the hunters joined us with their horses loaded with meat.

We halted to dine on the tributary of the Arkansa before mentioned, nearly opposite the Castle Rock. Intermixed with the grass upon which we sat down to our dinner, we observed a small campanula, with a solitary terminal flower, about as large as that of the common hare-bell (C. decipiens). This species we believe to be identical with the C. uniflora of Europe, which has not been heretofore noticed in the United States.

In the afternoon we moved on, descending the little stream on which we had halted for dinner. Like the small branches of the Platte, it is inhabited by great numbers of beavers; but it has more timber, and a more fertile soil than any stream of similar magnitude we had lately passed. Some light showers occurred in the middle of the day, and at evening a thunder-storm was observed, in the same manner {206} as on the preceding day, to collect in the east, and after we had listened to its thunders for some time, it moved off in the direction of the Arkansa, but no rain fell where we were. In the course of the day several elk were seen, and at evening we killed an antelope. Robins are here frequent, and a jerboa was seen resembling the gerbillus canadensis; many fine plants were collected, several of which are hitherto undescribed.[151]

[151] One of these is a large and conspicuous plant of the natural family of the _Cruciferæ_, which may be referred to the new genus, Stanley of Nuttall, and distinguished as S. _integrifolia_; stem simple, leaves entire, ovate oblong, tapering to both ends; stem angular. Flowers in a terminal raceme, which is a little branched below; about six inches in length; stipe of the silique, about as long as the pedicle; flowers large yellow. The whole plant, seen at a little distance, has a remote resemblance to Lysimachia thyrsifolia. The leaves are ⅚ inches long, ⅔ wide, glaucous, and veined, nearly resembling those of the common cabbage, but smoother, which they are not wholly unlike in taste. The calyx is large, and of a brighter yellow than the other parts of the flower: it inhabits the summits of the sandstone ridges, along the base of the mountains. The S. _pinnatifida_, N., the original type of this genus, was found by its discoverer, Mr. Nuttall, to act as a violent emetic. It had been eaten by several of the party who accompanied him, as a substitute for cabbage.—JAMES.

Towards evening, our guide discovered we had already passed considerably beyond the base of the peak, near which it had been our intention to halt. He also perceived at the same moment, he had arrived at the very spot where some years ago he had been made prisoner by a party of Spaniards, who took him to Santa Fé.[152] As we were particularly desirous of visiting the mountains at the point designated in many maps as the highest "peak," we resolved to return upon our course, but as it was now near sunset, we thought it advisable to encamp for the night.

[152] He was probably a member of the party of Chouteau and De Munn, arrested in 1817. See _ante_, note 134.—ED.

Our journey in the afternoon had been pursued in a bison path, and although not in the direction of our proper course, and serving only to prolong our march without advancing us towards the end of our pilgrimage, yet it brought us near to that romantic scenery which for many days we had chiefly contemplated with a distant eye. We entered the secondary range along the margin of a deep ravine, which wound with a serpentine course towards the base of the mountain. Our progress was sometimes impeded by huge rocky masses which had been precipitated from some neighbouring height; and sometimes by a dense forest of very limited extent, or an immense impending wall or oblique buttress of rock, which, by its proximity to the eye, vied with the grandeur of the ascending piles beyond.

July 12th. On the morning of the 12th we retraced our path of the preceding day, until a small {207} stream running towards the north-east offered us a change of scenery, and a course more in the direction we wished to pursue.[153] The inequalities of the surface were greater than in the route of the preceding evening. The precipitous character of several of the passes thoroughly tested the confidence we felt in our sure-footed, but now wearied and exhausted Indian horses and mules. Our rude pathway skirted along the base of an elevated ridge, on whose side, far above our heads, projected a narrow ledge of rocks, frowning defiance to all attempts to scale the steep. This ledge declined gradually as we proceeded, until it terminated abruptly on the edge of a profound gulph. Here appeared to be the only spot at which the ridge could be ascended. On the brow of the cliff, a fragment of rock and a small portion of earth were suspended by the binding roots of a solitary pine, offering a frail and precarious foothold. This we chose to ascend, startling and hazardous as the attempt appeared, rather than retrace our steps for several miles, and search for a passage in some other direction. The projecting ledge by which we had ascended, had barely sufficient width to admit the passage of a single individual at a time. When we had gained the summit, we allowed our exhausted animals a moment's rest in the partial shade of some straggling oaks, and contemplated, not without a feeling of terror, the yawning gulph at our feet. This emotion was much enhanced by reflecting, that a single misstep of a horse, or the sliding of a fragment of stone in our narrow path, would have been sufficient to have precipitated us into the abyss. We thus pursued our route, marked out to us by the bisons, who always trace the most direct and best course, until turning the side of a mountain[154] of moderate elevation, the ocean of prairie again spread before us. This monotonous plain, of which we had been hitherto so weary, now burst upon the sight, and for a moment {208} exhibited a cheerful and pleasant contrast to the rude mountain ruins, that we had with such toil and hazard been clambering over. This charm was, however, soon to be dispelled. On descending to the plain, it became as usual desirable to find a good situation for an encampment, abounding with grass for the horses, and convenient to a water course. For this purpose, one of the party rode to a small line of timber about a mile on our left, which ran in a parallel direction to our line of march. He overtook us again at the distance of two or three miles, having discovered a copious stream of water. It was about three miles below the point at which the water had been discovered that we gained the line of timber, only to experience the mortification of disappointment in finding a naked bed of sand, the stream having, no doubt, sunk into the earth some distance above. We had, therefore, to undergo the pains of abstinence still longer, until we again sought the timber further below, where the water had reappeared on the surface.

[153] Probably one of the branches of Cheyenne Creek.—ED.

[154] Cheyenne Mountain(?).—ED.

Near this encampment, we first observed the great shrubby cactus[155] which forms so conspicuous a feature in the vegetable physiognomy of the plains of the Arkansa. Its trunk is six or eight feet in height, and at the root five or six inches in diameter. It is much branched, the ultimate divisions consisting of long cylindric articulations. The flowers are as large as those of the C. ferox, of a purple colour, and are placed on the ends of the articulations. These last are arranged somewhat in whorls about the ends of the smaller branches. The surface of every part of the plant, aside from its terrific armature of thorns, is marked by little prominences of near an inch in length, and about one-fourth of an inch in breadth, rising considerably, and bearing a cluster of radiating spines. These are of various lengths, one pointing {209} obliquely upward, being commonly much the largest. At their insertion, these thorns are surrounded by pungent setæ in the manner of C. ferox. The whole plant is so thickly beset with strong spines pointing in every direction, that no large animal can approach it unharmed. It does not form thickets, but each plant is a cluster by itself; and when first seen at a distance, they were mistaken for bisons. We were informed by one of our engagees, who had penetrated the Spanish provinces as far as Monterey, that this plant is common there, and its fruit much esteemed. The nopals are considered characteristic of warm and dry climates, like those of Egypt and California.[156] Perhaps there is no part of the world where plants of this family constitute so large a proportion of the vegetable products of the soil, as in the arid plains of the Arkansa. These plains are sufficiently dry; but like those of the Platte and Upper Missouri, where cacti are almost equally abundant, they are visited by very severe cold in winter.

[155] Cactus cylindricus of Humboldt.—JAMES.

[156] Humboldt's Personal Narrative, vol. i. p. 362. Philadelphia Edit.—JAMES.

Another highly interesting plant, which occurs in the most barren and desolate parts of the plain, is a cucurbitaceous vine resembling some of our common squashes, bearing a small pepo, which is round and smooth, and as large as an orange. It is perennial, having a somewhat lignous root four or five inches in diameter, and descending often more than four feet into the earth. We were so fortunate as to meet with it in flower, and also with ripened fruit. It has the acutely margined seed of the genus cucumis, but in other respects is closely allied to cucurbita.[157] In addition to these, we collected the zigadenus elegans, Ph., asclepias tuberosa, and some others.

[157] _Cucumis perennis_, S.—Calyx, seated upon the germ, rugose, coloured campanulate, exterior divisions subulate.

Masc. Three filaments, short, closely covering the central disc. Fœm. Style short, stigmas three bipartite.

Fruit. Pome large, orbicular, smooth, about four celled seeds, ovate, gibbous, margin acute; dissepiments torn, spongy; seeds in a double order; leaves alternate, triangularly cordate, margin undulate, tendrils axillary trichotomous; stems numerous, procumbent, grooved; flowers nearly as large as those of Cucurbita _pepo_; fruit round, smooth, and green, nearly sessile, resembling a small unripe water-melon. The leaves are rough, of a glaucous green colour, bitter and nauseous to the taste, and the whole plant emits a fœtid odour.

Root fusiform, very large, six feet in length, and often four inches in diameter, descending perpendicularly into the earth. It inhabits the arid and sandy wastes, along the base of the Rocky Mountains, from the confluence of the Arkansa, and Boiling Spring Fork, to the sources of Red River. By means of its long and somewhat succulent root it is peculiarly adapted to the soil it occupies, and is found to thrive with considerable vigour in wastes whose thirsty and burning soils bid defiance to almost every other vegetable. It flowers in July, and continues flowering and perfecting fruit during the summer. Some plants of this interesting species are growing in the garden of the University of Philadelphia, from seeds brought by Major Long, but they have not yet flowered. The leaves are thick and robust, from six to eight inches long, and four or five in width, on foot-stalks equalling the leaves in length; they are crowded along the stems, and usually stand erect. It does not appear that any insect or animal preys upon the leaves or other parts of this plant. It forms, by its deep green, a striking contrast to the general aspect of the regions it inhabits, which are exceedingly naked and barren.

This plant has been mentioned by Mr. Brackenridge, from the information of hunters, but no detailed account of it has hitherto been given. The annexed figure is from a drawing by Mr. Peale, made of the plant in its native locality. The petioles and the extremities of the stems are usually affected with morbid enlargements, resembling galls. They may perhaps be caused by the irritation of the intense reflected light and heat of the sun, in the situations where the plant usually grows. In the gardens it has not hitherto produced these enlargements.—JAMES.

From an elevated ridge which we passed in the morning, some bisons had been seen, at the distance {210} of five miles; and as we were in want of game, Mr. Peale, with two hunters, rode forward in the pursuit of them. They overtook the herd near a small creek, and attacked one of the largest, which was at length killed. In examining the body, it was found twenty balls had entered in different parts before the animal fell. They arrived at camp, bringing the meat, at a little after noon.

The small stream on which we encamped had some timber along its valley. In this, four deer had been killed; so that we now had provisions in great plenty.[158]

[158] 1. _Fringilla psaltria_, SAY.—A very pretty little bird, was frequently seen hopping about in the low trees or bushes, singing sweetly, somewhat in the manner of the American gold-finch, or Hemp-bird (Fringilla tristis). The tints, and the distribution of the colours of its plumage resemble, in a considerable degree, those of the autumnal and less brilliant vesture of that well-known species. It may, however, be distinguished, in addition to other differences, by the black tip of its tail-feathers, and the white wing spot.

The _head_ is capped with black; the _cheeks_ are dusky; the _bill_ yellow, with a black tip; _iris_ burnt umber; _neck_ above, and half its side, _back_, and _rump_ olivaceous, more or less intermixed with dusky; _smaller wing coverts_ blackish, edged with olivaceous; _greater wing coverts_ brown-black, tipped with white, forming a narrow band; _primaries_ fuscous, and, excepting the exterior one, slightly edged with white; third, fourth, and fifth feathers white towards the base, so as to exhibit a white spot beyond the wing coverts; _secondaries_ margined with white exteriorly towards their tips: _tail coverts_ black, varied with olivaceous on their shafts; _tail_ emarginate, feathers blackish, slightly edged with dull whitish; the three exterior ones pure white on their inner webs, excepting at base and tip; all _beneath_ yellow; _feet_ pale. A specimen is deposited in the Philadelphia Museum.

2. _Fringilla frontalis_, SAY.—Crimson-necked Finch. _Head_, _throat_, _neck beneath_, and _upper portion of the breast_ brilliant crimson, most intense near the bill and over the eyes; _rump_ and _tail coverts_ paler crimson; between the bill and the eye grey; _bill_ dark horn colour, lower mandible paler; _vertex_, _occiput_, _neck above_ and _each side_ brown, tinged with reddish, the feathers margined with pale; _back_ dusky brownish; _wings_ and _tail_ fuscous, the latter feathers edged on the inner side with white; the _primaries_ broadly margined within, towards the base, with white, and exteriorly edged with a grayish; _coverts_ and _tertials_ edged with dull grayish; _inferior portion of the breast_, the _belly_, and _vent_ whitish, each feather with a broad fuscous line.

_Female_, dusky brown, the feathers margined each side with dull whitish; wings fuscous, the margining and edging of the feathers not as distinct as in the male; all _beneath_, excepting the tail and wing feathers, whitish, each feather with a brown streak.

This bird is much more closely allied, both in size and colouring, to the purple Finch (F. purpurea) than to the crimson-headed Finch (F. rosea), and may prove to be only a variety of it, when a comparison of many individuals can be made. The male, from which the above description is drawn out, may not be in its ultimate state of plumage, as it seems probable that the middle of the head, the upper part of the neck, and the back, in the perfect plumage, is more obviously tinted with crimson than we have observed those parts to be. It differs, however, from the _Purple Finch_ in the tint of the crimson colour, which is far more lively and brilliant, and also in having each feather of the belly, vent, and inferior tail coverts broadly streaked with brown. We apply to it provisionally the name of _F. frontalis_. A prepared specimen of this bird is in the Philadelphia Museum.—JAMES.

From this camp we had a distinct view of the part of the mountains called by Captain Pike the highest peak. It appeared about twenty miles distant, towards the north-west.[159] Our view was cut off from the base by an intervening spur of less elevation; but all the upper part of the peak was visible, with patches of snow extending down to the commencement of the woody region.

[159] Having followed in general the course of Cheyenne Creek, the party must have encamped a short distance south of the site of Colorado Springs, where the stream flows into Fountain Creek. From this point there is a magnificent view of Pike's Peak, which Pike himself usually called Grand Peak. His estimate of the height was 18,581 feet; the error was due partially to his assumption of the excessive elevation of 8,000 feet for the plain at the base. See the estimate of Lieutenant Swift, in succeeding volume, note 11.—ED.

At about one o'clock P. M. a dense black cloud was seen to collect in the south-west; and advancing towards the peak, it remained nearly stationary over that part of the mountains, pouring down torrents of rain. The thunder was loud and frequent; and though little rain fell near our camp, the creek soon began to swell; and before sunset it had risen about six feet, and again subsided nearly to its former level. When the stream began to rise, it was soon covered with such a quantity of bison's dung, suddenly washed in from the declivities of the mountains and the plains at its base, that the water could scarcely be seen. About this time our cook filled his kettle, and put into it the meat intended for supper; but when the soup was brought to our tent, the flavour of the cow-yard was found so prevalent, and the meat so filled with sand, that very little could be eaten.

{211} As one of the objects of our excursion was to ascertain the elevation of the peak, it was determined to remain in our present camp for three days, which would afford an opportunity for some of the party to ascend the mountain.

{261} APPENDIX A

ANIMALS

A Catalogue of the Names of Animals, which we observed at Engineer Cantonment, or at other indicated places, on our journey to that post.

MAMMALIA

_Vespertilio novaboracensis, L._—New-York bat.

—— _Carolinus, Geoff._—Carolina bat.

_Scalops aquaticus_—Mole.

_Ursus Americanus_, (_gularis, Geoff._)—Black bear.

_Procyon lotor_—Racoon.

_Taxus labradoricus_—Badger.

_Mustela minx_—Mink.

—— _vison_.

_Mephitis putorius (chinche, Buff. Cuv.)_—Skunk.

_Lutra (mustela lutra Braziliensis, Gm. Cuv.)_—Otter.

_Canis_—Indian dog.

—— _lycaon_—Black wolf.

—— _virginianus_—Red fox.

—— _cinereo-argenteus_—Gray fox.

_Felis concolor_—Cougar.

—— _rufa_—Bay lynx.

_Didelphius virginiana_—Opossum.

_Castor fiber_—Beaver.

_Ondatra Zibethicus_—Musk-rat.

_Gerbillus Canadensis_—Leaping-mouse.

_Arctomys monax_—Maryland marmot.

_Mus agrarius?_—Rustic mouse.

_Arvicola Zanthognatha, Leach_—Meadow mouse (on the Ohio).

{262} _Mus musculus_—introduced by our expedition.

_Pseudostoma bursaria_—Pouched rat.

_Sciurus cinereus_—Gray squirrel.

—— _capistratus_—White-nosed do.

—— _striatus_—Ground do.

—— _nigra_—Black do.

_Lepus Americanus_—Rabbit.

_Cervus major_—Elk.

—— _Virginianus_—Virginian deer.

_Antilocapra Americana, Ord._—Prong-horned antelope.

_Bos bison, Gmel._—Bison.

BIRDS

_Vultur (Cathartes Illig.) aura_—Turkey buzzard.

_Falco (Haliœtus, Sav.) leucocephalus_—Bald eagle.

—— _(Pandion, Sav.) haliætus?_—Fish-hawk.

—— _(Accipitur, V.) ruficaudus, Vieil. (F. Borealis, L. Wilson)
_—American buzzard, Lath.

—— _(Circus, Bech.) uliginosus_—Marsh-hawk.

—— _Buteo (galinivorus, Vieil.)_—Great hen, H.

—— _(Milvus, Bech.) furcatus_—Swallow-tailed falcon, Lath.

—— _(Tinnunculus, Vieil.) sparverius_—American sparrow-hawk.

—— _(Aquila, Briss.) fulvus_—Ring-tailed eagle, Wilson;
war-eagle of the Omawhaws.

—— _lineatus, Gm. Wils._—Red-shouldered hawk. Mississippi.

—— _Mississippiensis, Wilson_—Mississippi kite.

—— _velox, Wilson_—Sharp-shinned hawk.

—— _Pennsylvanicus, Wilson_—Slate-coloured hawk.

_Strix (Otus, Cuv.) otus_—Long-eared owl.

—— _( do. do. ) Virginiana_—Virginian-eared owl, Lath.

—— _( do. do. ) asio_—Red-eared owl, Lath.—Screech-owl.

{263} _Strix (Ulula, Cuv.) nebulosa_—Barred-owl, Lath.

—— _(Noctna, Savig.) phalænoides, Dand. Vieil._

—— _( do. do. ) passerina, Wilson._

—— _( do. do. ) Hudsonia_—Hawk-owl, Wilson.

—— _( Bubo, Cuv. ) bubo_—Great owl.

_Lanius borealis, Vieil._—Great American shrike, Wilson.

_Tanagra Ludoviciani, Wils._—Louisiana tanager.

—— _rubra_—Scarlet tanager.

_Musicapa (Tyrannus, Cuv.) pipiri, Vieil._—Tyrant fly-catcher,
Wilson.

—— _(Tyrannus, Cuv.) Ludovicianus_—Louisiana fly-catcher, Lath.

—— _Canadensis, Gm. Wilson._—Canada fly-catcher.

—— _(Icteria, Vieil. pipra. Wilson,) viridis, L._
—Yellow-breasted chat, Wils.

—— _cantatrix Bartram, Wils._—White-eyed fly-catcher.

—— _(Mucipeta, Cuv.) ruticilla_—American red-start, Wilson.

—— _olivacea_—Red-eyed fly-catcher, Wils.

—— _novaboracensis, Gm._—Green black-capt fly-catcher, Wilson.

—— _fusca_—Pewee fly-catcher, Wilson.

_Ampelis (Bombycivora, Temm.) Carolinensis, Briss._—Cedar-bird,
Wilson.

_Turdus rufus_—Ferruginous thrush.

—— _felivox, Vieil._—Catbird.

—— _fuscus_—Brown thrush.

—— _pollyglottus_—Mocking bird.

—— _aurocapillus_—Golden crowned thrush.

—— _migratorius_—Red-breasted thrush.

—— _aquaticus, Wils._—Water thrush.

_Sylvia solitaria, Wils._—Blue-winged yellow warbler.

—— _sialis_—Blue bird.

—— _striata, Wilson_—Black poll warbler.

{264} _Sylvia Ludoviciana, L._—Blue yellow-backed warbler, Wilson.

—— (_Troglodites, Cuv.) troglodites? Wilson_—Winter wren.

—— _azurea, Steph. cœrulea, Wils._-Cœrulean warbler.

—— _æstiva, Lath._

_Certhia Caroliniana, Lath. Wils._—Great Carolina wren.

—— _palustris, Wils._—Marsh wren.

_Hirundo Americanus_—Barn swallow, Wilson.

—— _riparia_—Bank do.

—— _pelasgia_—Chimney do.

—— _purpurea_—Purple martin.

_Caprimulgus Virginianus, L._—Whip-poor-will.

—— _porpetue, Vieil._—Night hawk.

_Alauda alpestris, L. Wils._—Shore lark.

—— _rubra_—Red lark.

_Parus atricapillus_—Black capped titmouse.

_Emberzia Americana, L. Wils._—Black throated bunting.

_Fringilla (Ploceus, Cuv.) erythrocephala_—Towhee bunting.

—— _socialis, Wilson._—Chipping sparrow.

—— _oryzivora_—Rice bird.

—— _pecora, Wils. (Emberiza)_—Cow bird.

—— _(Cardualis, Cuv.) tristis_—Yellow bird.

—— _melodia, Wilson._—Song sparrow.

—— _purpurea_—Purple finch.

—— _Hudsonia_—Snow bird.

—— _(Linaria, Bech.) linaria_—Lesser red-poll.

_Loxia (Vidua, Cuv.) cardinalis_—Cardinal gross beak.

—— _(do. do.) Ludoviciana_—Rose-breasted gross beak.

—— _(Corythus, Cuv.) enucleator_—Pine gross beak.

—— _Curvirostra Americana, Wilson._—American gross beak.

{265} _Gracula (Icterus, Cuv.) quiscala_—Purple grackle.

_Oriolus (Zanthornus, Cuv.) phœniceus_—Red-winged starling, Wilson.

—— _(Zanthornus, Cuv.) Baltimoreus_—Baltimore bird.

—— _(do. do.) spurius_—Orchard oriole.

—— _(do. do.) icterocephalus_—Yellow-headed oriole.

_Sturnus Ludovicianus_—Meadow-lark, Wils. The S. torquatus of
Stephens seems to be the male of this species.

_Sitta Carolinensis_—White-breasted nuthatch, Wilson.

—— _varira_—Red-bellied [nuthatch, Wilson].

_Corvus corax_—Raven.

—— _corone_—Crow.

—— _(Pica, Cuv.) pica_—Magpie.

—— _(Garrulus, Cuv.) cristatus_—Blue jay.

_Trochilus colubris_—Ruby-throated humming-bird.

_Alcedo alcyon_—Belted kingfisher.

_Picus pileatus_—Pileated woodpecker, Lath.

—— _erythrocephala_—Red-headed woodpecker.

—— _auratus_—Gold-winged do.

—— _pubescens_—Downy do.

—— _villosus_—Hairy do.

—— _Carolinus_—Red-bellied do.

_Psittacus Carolinensis_—Caroline perroquet.

_Meleagris gallipavo_—Turkey.

_Tetrao cupido_—Pinnated grouse.

—— _umbellus_—Ruffed do.

—— _phasianellus_—Long-tailed grouse.

—— _(Perdix) Virginianus_—Virginian partridge, Wilson.

_Columba migratoria_—Passenger pigeon. (_C. Canadensis_
is the female, Temm.)

—— _Carolinensis_—Caroline pigeon or dove.

_Charardrius vociferus_—Kildeer.

{266} _Charardrius pluvialis_—Golden plover.

_Ardea (Grus, Cuv.) Americanus_—Hooping crane.

—— _(do. do.) Canadensis_—Sandhill do.

—— _herodias_—Great heron.

—— _virescens_—Green heron.

—— _nycticorax_—Night-heron.

_Numenius longirostra_—Long-billed curlew.

_Scolopax minor_—Little woodcock.

—— _(Totanus) semipalmata_—Willet.

—— _(Totanus) melanoleucus, Vieil._—Stone curlew.

—— _(do.) vociferus_—Telltale godwit.

_Tringa solitaria, Wilson._—Solitary sandpiper.

—— _Bartramia, Wilson._—Bartram's sandpiper.

—— _semipalmata, Ord._—Semipalmated sandpiper.

_Scolopax flavipes, Gm. Wils._—Yellow-shanks snipe.

—— _fedoa, L. Wilson._—Great marbled godwit.

_Recurvirostra Americana_—American avocet.

_Colymbus glacialis_—Great northern diver.

—— _(Podiceps, Lath.) cornutus_—Horned grebe.

_Fulica Americana_—Common coot.

_Larus ridibundus?_—Laughing gull.

_Sterna aranea, Wilson._—Marsh tern.

—— _minuta_—Lesser tern.

_Pelecanus erythrorhynchos_—Rough-billed pelican.

—— _fuscus_—Brown pelican.

—— _(Phalacrocorax, Briss.) carbo_—Corvorant.

_Anas (Cygnus, Meyer) cygnus_—Swan.

—— _(do.) Canadensis_—Canada goose.

—— _(Anser, Briss.) hyperborea_—Snow goose.

—— _(do.) bernicla?_—Barnacle goose.

—— _(do.) albifrons_—White-fronted goose.

{267} _Anas discors_—Blue-winged teal.

—— _albeola_—Buffle-headed duck.

—— _boschus_—Wild duck.

—— _sponsa_—Summer duck.

—— _marila_—Scaup duck.

—— _acuta_—Pin-tailed duck.

—— _glacialis_—Long-tailed duck.

—— _clangula_—Golden-eye.

—— _Americana_—American widgeon.

_Mergus serrator_—Red-breasted merganser.

—— _cucullatus_—Hooded do.

REPTILIA

_Testudo clausa._—This is our common land tortoise. It
rarely, if ever, enters the water voluntarily, and is therefore
decidedly terrestrial.

_Testudo (Emys, Brogni.) geographica, Lesueur._

—— _ ( do. do. ) serpentaria_—Serpent tortoise.

—— _(Trionix, Geoff.) ferox_—Fierce tortoise.

_Lacerta (Agama) undulata, Daud._

—— _(Scincus) 5-lineatus._

_Coluber constrictor_—Racer.

—— _ordinatus_—Garter snake.

—— _heterodon_—Hog-nose snake.

_Crotalus horridus, L._—Banded rattlesnake.

—— _durissus, L._—Diamond rattlesnake.

_Rana pipiens, Daud. (R. Catesbeana, Shaw.)_—Bull-frog—Ohio.

_Rana helecina, Kalm. Daud. (R. pipiens, Schreb.
Shaw.)_—Shad-frog—Ohio.

_Rana clamata, Daud._

—— _(Hyla) occulars, Daud._—On the Ohio, near Shippingsport. This species is subject to vary considerably. In addition to the lateral vitta, it has sometimes three dorsal vittæ: other specimens have a remarkable cruciform mark on the back.

_Rana (Hyla) femoralis, Daud._—Ohio.

—— _(Bufo) musicus_—Common toad.

{268} _Salamandra subviolacea, Barton_—near Shippingsport.

—— _longicauda, Green_—near Pittsburgh.

—— _rubra, Daud._—Ohio.

—— _cinerea, Green_—near Shippingsport.

—— _(Triton, Laur.) Alleganiensis (Salam.
gigantea, Barton)_—Pittsburgh.

The following observations were made, relative to the arrival and departure of birds at Engineer Cantonment. A few notes are added, which were made at Pittsburgh and other places.

_Vultur aura_—Arrived April 2. 1820. On the Ohio,
observed May 9. 1819.

_Falco haliœtus_—Flying north May 17. 1820.

—— _furcatus_—Was seen 20.

The Falco and Strix families generally winter here.

_Tanagra rubra_—Arrived May 1. 1820. At Pittsburgh,
arrived April 29. 1819.

_Muscicapa olivacea_ arrived April 30. 1820.

—— _cantatrix_— 30.

—— _ruticilla_— 28. 1820. On the Ohio,
observed May 8. 1819.

_Muscicapa fusca_ arrived March 22. 1820.

—— _pipiri_— May 7. 1820. On the Ohio,
observed May 8. 1819.

_Turdus fuscus_ arrived April 28. At Pittsburgh the 14th.

_Turdus aurocapillus_ arrived April 26. 1820.

—— _aquaticus_— 26.

—— _migratorius_— 11.

—— _felivox_ observed on the Ohio, May 8. 1819.

—— _rufus_ do. do. 2. 1820.

_Certhia palustris_ arrived April 15. 1820.

_Sylvia striata_ — 26.

—— _azurea_ — 28.

—— _sialis_—a few remain all winter.

_Hirundo pelasgia_ arrived May 1. 1820. At Pittsburgh,
arrived April 27. 1819.

{269} _Hirundo purpurea_ arrived March 30. 1820. At
Pittsburgh, April 14. 1819.

_Hirundo Americana_—At Pittsburgh, arrived April 21.
1819.

_Caprimulgus Virginianus_ arrived April 19. 1820. At
Pittsburgh, heard May 5. 1819.

_Caprimulgus porpetue_ arrived May 16. 1820. On the
Ohio, observed May 6. 1819.

_Caprimulgus rufus, Vieil._—heard on the Ohio, June
2. 1819.

_Parus articapillus_—all winter.

_Fringilla erythrocephala_ arrived March 22. 1819.

—— _purpurea_ seen Feb. 28.

—— _Hudsonica_ departing April 11.

—— _oryzivora_ arrived May 14.

—— _linaria_ — Feb. 1.

—— _tristis_ remains during the winter.

_Loxia Ludoviciana_, observed May 1. and 6. 1819.

—— _Americana_ — Feb. 21. 1819.

—— _cardinalis_—on the Ohio, May 8. 1819.

—— _enuncleator_—occasionally seen during the winter.

_Oriolus icterocephalus_, observed May 14. 1820.