Chapter XXIII: Part 23

"With what pleasure did I see them becoming more and more drunk, until the liquor took such hold of them that it was quite impossible for these women to be of any service. They tumbled down, rolled about, and began to snore: when I, having no other chance of freeing myself from the cords that fastened me, rolled over and over towards the fire, and, after a short time, burned them asunder. I rose on my feet, stretched my stiffened sinews, snatched up my rifle, and, for once in my life, spared that of Indians. I now recollect how desirous I once or twice felt to lay open the skulls of the wretches with my tomahawk; but when I again thought upon killing beings unprepared and unable to defend themselves, it looked like murder without need, and I gave up the idea.

"But, Sir, I felt determined to mark the spot, and walking to a thrifty ash sapling, I cut out of it three large chips, and ran off. I soon reached the river, soon crossed it, and threw myself deep into the cane-brakes, imitating the tracks of an Indian with my feet, so that no chance might be left for those from whom I had escaped to overtake me.

"It is now nearly twenty years since this happened, and more than five since I left the Whites' settlements, which I might probably never have visited again, had I not been called on as a witness in a law-suit that was pending in Kentucky, and which I really believe would never have been settled, had I not come forward, and established the beginning of a certain boundary line. This is the story, Sir.

"Mr —— moved from Old Virginia into Kentucky, and having a large tract granted to him in the new State, laid claim to a certain parcel of land adjoining Green River, and as chance would have it, took for one of his corners the very Ash tree on which I had made my mark, and finished his survey of some thousands of acres, beginning, as it is expressed in the deed, 'at an Ash marked by three distinct notches of the tomahawk of a white man.'

"The tree had grown much, and the bark had covered the marks; but somehow or other, Mr —— heard from some one all that I have already said to you, and thinking that I might remember the spot alluded to in the deed, but which was no longer discoverable, wrote for me to come and try at least to find the place or the tree. His letter mentioned that all my expenses should be paid, and not caring much about once more about going back to Kentucky, I started and met Mr ——. After some conversation, the affair with the Indians came to my recollection. I considered for a while, and began to think that after all I could find the very spot, as well as the tree, if it was yet standing.

"Mr —— and I mounted our horses, and off we went to the Green River Bottoms. After some difficulties, for you must be aware, Sir, that great changes have taken place in those woods, I found at last the spot where I had crossed the river, and waiting for the moon to rise, made for the course in which I thought the Ash tree grew. On approaching the place, I felt as if the Indians were there still, and as if I was still a prisoner among them. Mr —— and I camped near what I conceived the spot, and waited until the return of day.

"At the rising of the sun, I was on foot, and after a good deal of musing, thought that an Ash tree then in sight must be the very one on which I had made my mark. I felt as if there could be no doubt of it, and mentioned my thought to Mr ——. "Well, Colonel BOON," said he, "if you think so, I hope it may prove true, but we must have some witnesses; do you stay here about, and I will go and bring some of the settlers whom I know." I agreed. Mr —— trotted off, and I, to pass the time, rambled about to see if a deer was still living in the land. But ah! Sir, what a wonderful difference thirty years makes in the country! Why, at the time when I was caught by the Indians, you would not have walked out in any direction for more than a mile without shooting a buck or a bear. There were then thousands of buffaloes on the hills in Kentucky; the land looked as if it never would become poor; and to hunt in those days was a pleasure indeed. But when I was left to myself on the banks of Green River, I dare say for the last time in my life, a few _signs_ only of deer were to be seen, and, as to a deer itself, I saw none.

"Mr —— returned, accompanied by three gentlemen. They looked upon me as if I had been WASHINGTON himself, and walked to the Ash tree, which I now called my own, as if in quest of a long lost treasure. I took an axe from one of them, and cut a few chips off the bark. Still no signs were to be seen. So I cut, again until I thought it was time to be cautious, and I scraped and worked away with my butcher knife, until I _did_ come to where my tomahawk had left an impression in the wood. We now went regularly to work, and scraped at the tree with care, until three hacks as plain as any three notches ever were, could be seen. Mr —— and the other gentlemen were astonished, and, I must allow, I was as much surprised as pleased myself. I made affidavit of this remarkable occurrence in presence of these gentlemen. Mr —— gained his cause. I left Green River for ever, and came to where we now are; and, Sir, I wish you a good night."

I trust, kind reader, that when I again make my appearance with another volume of Ornithological Biography, I shall not have to search in vain for the impression which I have made, but shall have the satisfaction of finding its traces still unobliterated. I now withdraw, and, in the words of the noted wanderer of the western wilds, "WISH YOU A GOOD NIGHT."

INDEX.

Page

Acer rubrum, 287, 352

Adonis autumnalis, 48

Æsculus Pavia, 402

Alcedo Alcyon, 394

American Bear, 479

—— Cane, 149

—— Goldfinch, 172

—— Hare, 272

—— Pokeweed, 179

—— Redstart, 202

Anthus pipiens, 408

—— Spinoletta, 49

Autumnal Warbler, 447

Azure Warbler, 255

Baltimore Oriole, 66

Barred Owl, 242

Bay-breasted Warbler, 358

Bay-winged Bunting, 473

Bead-tree, 330

Bear, Black, 479

Bear-berry, 257

Belted Kingsfisher, 394

Betula papyracea, 449

Bewick's Wren, 96

Bignonia capreolata, 334

—— radicans, 254

Birch, Paper, 449

Bird of Washington, 58

Bitterwood, 123

Blackberry, 152

Black-billed Cuckoo, 170

Black-and-white Creeper, 452

—— Warbler, 290

Black Oak, 426

Black Walnut, 433

Black Warrior, 441

Blue-grey Fly-catcher, 431

Blue Tangles, 129

Blue-winged Yellow Warbler, 102

Blue-green Warbler, 258

Blue Yellow-backed Warbler, 78

Bombycilla carolinensis, 227

Bonaparte's Fly-catcher, 27

Boon, Colonel, 503

Broad-winged Hawk, 461

Brown Titlark, 49

Buck-eye, Dwarf, 402

Bull-frog, 367

Bunting, Henslow's, 360

—— Towhe, 150

Cactus opuntia, 475

Callicarpa americana, 592

Cane, American, 149, 458

Cane-brake, 458

Caprimulgus carolinensis, 273

—— vociferus, 422

Carolina Parrot, 135

Carolina Rose, 472

Carbonated Warbler, 308

Castanea pumila, 436

Cassia occidentalis, 181

Cedar Bird, 227

Cedar, Red, 230

Certhia varia, 452

Chestnut-sided Warbler, 306

Chicasaw Plum, 282

Children's Warbler, 180

Chinquapin, 436

Chuck-will's-widow, 273

Cinereous Eagle, 64

Cliff Swallow, 353

Cnicus lanceolatus, 176

Cockle-bur, 140

Coccyzus americanus, 18

—— erythrophthalmus, 170

Columba carolinensis, 91

—— migratoria, 319

Columbia Jay, 483

Common Crow Blackbird, 35

Cornus florida, 45, 376

Corvus Bullockii, 483

Corvus floridanus, 444

Cotton, Highland, 359

Cotton-wood, 407

Cotton-rose, 140

Cougar, 205

Cow-pen Bird, 492

Creeper, Black-and-White, 452

Crested Titmouse, 199

Cuckoo, Black-billed, 170

—— Yellow-billed, 18

Cuvier's Regulus, 288

Deer Hunting, 335

Diosporos virginiana, 446

Dogwood, 45, 376

Driving, 335

Earthquake, 239

Eagle, White-headed, 160

—— Washington, 58

Emberiza Henslowii, 360

—— erythrophthalma, 150

Falco Albicilla, 64

—— borealis, 265

—— columbarius, 466

—— Haliaetos, 415

—— Harlani, 441

—— hyemalis, 364

—— furcatus, 368

—— leucocephalus, 160

—— lineatus, 296

—— pennsylvanicus, 461

—— peregrinus, 85

—— Stanleii, 186

—— temerarius, 381

—— Washingtonii, 38

Falls of Niagara, 362

Finch, Painted, 279

—— Purple, 24

—— Sea-side, 470

Fire-light Hunting, 337

Fish Hawk, 415

Flood of the Ohio and Mississippi, 156

Flos Adonis, 48

Florida Jay, 444

—— Jessamine, 114

Fly-catcher, Bonaparte's, 27

—— Blue-grey, 431

—— Selby's, 46

—— Solitary, 147

—— Traill's, 236

—— Tyrant, 403

—— White-eyed, 328

Fringilla ciris, 279

—— cyanea, 377

—— erythrophthalma, 150

—— graminea, 473

—— hyemalis, 72

—— maritima, 470

—— melodia, 126

—— palustris, 331

—— pennsylvanica, 42

—— purpurea, 24

—— tristis, 172

Frolic, 55

Garter Snake, 371

Gleditschia triacanthos, 226

Goldfinch, American, 172

Golden-winged Woodpecker, 191

Gossipium herbaceum, 359

Grakle, Purple, 35

Grass Finch, 473

Great Carolina Wren, 399

—— Horned Owl, 313

—— footed Hawk, 85

—— Magnolia, 28

—— Pine Swamp, 52

Grouse, Ruffed, 211

Green Briar, 302

Halesia tetraptera, 123

Hare, American, 272

Harlequin Snake, 278

Hawk, Broad-winged, 461

—— Great-footed, 85

—— Pigeon, 466

—— Red-shouldered, 296

—— Red-tailed, 265

—— Stanley, 186

—— Swallow-tailed, 368

—— Winter, 364

Henslow's Bunting, 360

Hermit Thrush, 303

Hibiscus grandiflorus, 104

Hickory Pig-nut, 465

Hirundo bicolor, 490

—— fulva, 353

—— purpurea, 115

Honey Locust, 226

Hornbeam, Virginian, 204

Hospitality, 383

House Wren, 427

Huckleberry, 129

Humming Bird, 248

Hurricane, 262

Icterus agripennis, 233

—— Baltimore, 66

—— pecoris, 492

—— phœniceus, 348

—— spurius, 221

Ilex Dahoon, 257

—— Prinoides, 451

Indian Corn, 41

Indigo Bird, 377

Iris, Coppery, 80

Iron-wood Tree, 204

Ivory-billed Woodpecker, 341

Jay, Florida, 444

—— Columbia, 483

Jersey Pine, 489

Jessamine, Florida, 114

Juglans nigra, 433

—— porcina, 485

Juniperus virginiana, 230

Kalmia latifolia, 289

Kentucky Sports, 290

—— Warbler, 196

Kingsfisher, Belted, 394

Larch, Black, 454

Larix americana, 26

Lanius ludovicianus, 300

Laurel, 289

Lehigh River, 54

Le Petit Caporal, 381

Lepus americana, 278

Liquidambar styraciflua, 232

Liriodendron tulipifera, 71

Little Screech Owl, 485

Loggerhead Shrike, 300

Louisiana Flag, 80

—— Water Thrush, 99

Louisville in Kentucky, 437

Magnolia auriculata, 198

—— grandiflora, 28, 171

Maize, 41

Maple, Red, 287, 352

Marsh Blackbird, 348

—— Wren, 500

Maryland Yellow-throat, 121

Martin, Purple, 115

May apple, 322

May-bush, 309

Meadville, 182

Melia azedarach, 330

Meleagris Gallopavo, 1, 33

Methodists, camp-meeting of, 31

Miegia macrosperma, 149

Mississippi, Flood of the, 156

—— Improvements in the navigation of the, 130

Mocking Bird, 108

Moth mullein, 307

Mouse, Field, 302

Mulberry, Spanish, 259

Mullein, moth, 307

Muscadine, wild, 235

Muscicapa Bonapartii, 27

—— cærulea, 431

—— Ruticilla, 202

—— Selbii, 46

—— Traillii, 236

—— Tyrannus, 403

Nashville Warbler, 450

Naturalist, the eccentric, 455

Navigation of the Mississippi, 130

Niagara, 362

Nyssa tomentosa, 75

Oak, Black, 426

—— Swamp, 125

—— White, 261

Ohio, description of the, 29

—— floods of the, 156

Olive, Wild, 123

Orchard Oriole, 221

Oriole, Baltimore, 66

—— Orchard, 221

Osprey, 415

Ostrya virginiana, 204

Owl, Barred, 242

—— Great Horned, 313

—— Little Screech, 486

Painted Finch, 279

Painter, the original, 410

Papaw tree, 21

Partridge, Virginian, 388

Parus bicolor, 199

Parrot, Carolina, 135

Passenger Pigeon, 319

Pens for catching game, 12

Perdix virginiana, 388

Persimon, 446

Phlox aristata, 361

—— subulata, 409

Phytolacca decandra, 179

Picus auratus, 191

—— erythrocephalus, 141

—— principalis, 381

Pig-nut Hickory, 465

Pigeon Hawk, 466

Pigeon, Passenger, 319

Pine, Jersey, 489

—— White, 201

Pink Root, 361

Pinus inops, 489

—— pendula, 454

—— strobus, 201

Podophyllum peltatum, 332

Pokeweed, American, 170

Pole-cat, 310

Populus candicans, 407

Porcelia triloba, 21

Pot-pie, 39

Prairie, the, 81

Prairie Titlark, 408

—— Warbler, 76

Prickly Pear, 475

Pride of China, 330

Prothonotary Warbler, 22

Prunus Chicasa, 282

Psittacus carolinensis, 135

Purple Finch, 24

—— Grakle, 35

—— Martin, 115

Pyrus Botryapium, 309

Quercus aquatica, 125

—— Prinus, 261

Quiscalus versicolor, 35

Quercitron, 426

Rana taurina, 367

Rathbone Warbler, 333

Red Bird, 232

Red Cedar, 230

Red Larch, 26

Red Maple, 352, 287

Red-headed Woodpecker, 141

—— shouldered Hawk, 296

—— tailed Hawk, 265

—— winged Starling, 348

Redstart, American, 202

Republican Swallow, 353

Regulators, 105

Regulus Cuvierii, 288

Rice Bird, 283

Roscoe's Yellow-throat, 124

Rosa Carolina, 472

Rubus villosus, 152

Ruby-throated Humming-bird, 248

Ruffed Grouse, 211

Sarsaparilla, Wild, 380

Sawyers and Planters, 130

Sciurus cinereus, 247

Screech Owl, 485

Schisandra coccinea, 380

Scipio and the Bear, 479

Seaside Finch, 470

Selby's Flycatcher, 46

Service, 309

Shrike, Loggerhead, 300

Silver-bell Tree, 12

Smilax rotundifolia, 302

Snow-bird, 72

Snow-drop Tree, 123

Solitary Fly-catcher, 147

Song Sparrow, 126

Spanish Coffee, 181

Sparrow, Song, 126

—— Swamp, 331

—— White-throated, 42

Spider-wort, 154

Spigelia marilandica, 361

Squirrel, Grey, 247

Stanley Hawk, 186

Strix Asio, 485

—— nebulosa, 242

—— Virginiana, 313

Still Hunting, 335

Stuartia malacodendron, 95

Summer Red Bird, 232

Swallow, Republican, 353

—— White-bellied, 490

Swallow-tailed Hawk, 368

Swamp, Great Pine, 52

Swamp Oak, 125

—— Sparrow, 331

—— Spice, 451

Sweet Gum, 238

Sylvia æstiva, 476

—— Americana, 78

—— autumnalis, 447

—— azurea, 255

—— carbonate, 308

—— castanea, 358

—— Childrenii, 180

—— discolor, 76

—— formosa, 196

—— icterocephala, 306

—— maculosa, 260

—— pensilis, 434

—— Protonotarius, 22

—— rara, 258

—— rubricapilla, 450

—— Rathbonia, 333

—— Roscoe, 124

—— Solitaria, 102

—— Trichas, 12

—— vermivora, 177

—— Vigorsii, 153

Tanagra æstiva, 232

Tetrao Umbellus, 211

Thistle, Common, 176

Thrush, Hermit, 303

—— Louisiana Water, 99

—— Wood, 372

Timber, preparation of, 54

Titlark, Brown, 49

—— Prairie, 408

Towhe Bunting, 150

Traill's flycatcher, 236

Traveller and Pole-cat, 310

Trochilus colubris, 248

Troglodytes ædon, 427

—— Bewickii, 96

—— ludoviciana, 399

—— palustris, 500

Titmouse, Crested, 199

Tradescantia virginica, 154

Trumpet-flower, 254

—— Ramping, 334

Tulip-Tree, 71

Tupelo, 75

Turdus ludovicianus, 99

—— minor, 303

—— mustelinus, 372

—— polyglottus, 108

Turkey, 1, 33

Turtle Dove, Carolina, 91

Tyrant Fly-catcher, 403

Ursus Americanus, 480

Vaccinium frondosum, 129

Vireo noveboracensis, 328

—— solitarius, 147

Virginian Hornbeam, 204

—— Partridge, 388

Vitis rotundifolia, 235

Vigors's Warbler, 153

Viburnum prunifolium, 123

Warbler, Autumnal, 447

—— Azure, 255

—— Bay-breasted, 358

—— Black-and-yellow, 260

—— Blue-green, 258

—— Blue Yellow-backed, 78

—— Blue-winged Yellow, 102

—— Carbonated, 308

—— Chestnut-sided, 306

—— Children's, 180

—— Kentucky, 196

—— Nashville, 450

—— Prairie, 76

—— Prothonotary, 22

—— Rathbone, 333

—— Vigors's, 153

—— Yellow-pole, 476

—— Yellow-breasted, 121

—— Yellow-throated, 434

—— Worm-eating, 177

Washington, Bird of, 58

Weak Fish, 421

White-bellied Swallow, 490

White-eyed Fly-catcher, 328

White-headed Eagle, 160

White-tailed Eagle, 64

White Oak, 261

White Pine, 201

White-throated Sparrow, 42

Whip-poor-will, 422

Wild Turkey, 1, 33

Wilson, Mr Alexander, 438

Winter Hawk, 364

Woodpecker, Ivory-billed, 341

—— Golden-winged, 191

Woodpecker, Red-headed, 141

Wood Thrush, 372

Worm-eating Warbler, 177

Worm-grass, 361

Wren, Great Carolina, 399

—— Bewick's, 96

—— House, 427

—— Marsh, 500

Xanthium Strumarium, 140

Yellow-billed Cuckoo, 18

Yellow-breasted Warbler, 121

Yellow-throat, Maryland, 121

Yellow-throat, Roscoe's, 124

Yellow-throated Warbler, 434

Zea Mays, 41

NEILL & CO. PRINTERS,
Old Fishmarket, Edinburgh.

UNDER THE SPECIAL PATRONAGE
OF
Her Most Excellent Majesty,
QUEEN ADELAIDE.

THE
BIRDS OF AMERICA,
ENGRAVED FROM
DRAWINGS
MADE IN
THE UNITED STATES AND THEIR TERRITORIES.

BY JOHN JAMES AUDUBON,
F. R. SS. L. & E.

FELLOW OF THE LINNEAN AND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETIES OF LONDON; MEMBER OF
THE LYCEUM OF NEW YORK, THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF PARIS, THE
WERNERIAN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH; HONORARY MEMBER OF
THE SCOTTISH ACADEMY OF PAINTING, SCULPTURE AND ARCHITECTURE, &C.

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR,
AND TO BE SEEN AT
MR R. HAVELL'S JUN. THE ENGRAVER,
77. OXFORD STREET, LONDON.
MDCCCXXXI.

NEILL & CO. PRINTERS,
Old Fishmarket, Edinburgh.

PROSPECTUS.

To those who have not seen any portion of the Author's Collection of Original Drawings, it may be proper to state, that their superiority consists in the accuracy as to proportion and outline, and the variety and truth of the attitudes and positions of the figures, resulting from peculiar means discovered and employed by the Author, and his attentive examination of the objects portrayed, during a long series of years. The Author has not contented himself, as others have done, with single profile views, but in very many instances has grouped his figures, so as to represent the originals at their natural avocations, and has placed them on branches of trees, decorated with foliage, blossoms and fruits, or amidst plants of numerous species. Some are seen pursuing their prey through the air, searching for food amongst the leaves and herbage, sitting on their nests, or feeding their young; whilst others, of a different nature, swim, wade, or glide in or over their allotted element. The Insects, Reptiles and Fishes, that form the food of these birds, have now and then been introduced into the drawings. In every instance where a difference of plumage exists between the sexes, both the Male and the Female have been represented; and the extraordinary changes which some species undergo, in their progress from youth to maturity, have been depicted. The Plants are all copied from Nature; and as many of the originals are remarkable for their beauty, their usefulness, or their rarity, the Botanist cannot fail to look upon them with delight.

The particulars of the Plan of the Work may be reduced to the following heads:—

1. The size of the work is Double Elephant Folio, the paper
being of the finest quality.

2. The engravings are, in every instance, of the exact
dimensions of the drawings, which, without any exception,
represent the birds and other objects of their natural size.

3. The Plates are coloured in the most careful manner, from
the original drawings.

4. The work appears in Numbers, of which five are published
annually, each Number consisting of five Plates.

5. The price of each number is Two Guineas, payable on delivery.

Persons desirous of becoming Subscribers, are requested to apply to

MR AUDUBON,

Or to Mr R. HAVELL junior, Engraver and Publisher, 77. Oxford Street, London, with whom specimens of the work may be seen, or to any of the following agents:—

Messrs TREUTTEL, WURTZ and Co., Soho Square, London.
Messrs ROBINSON, Liverpool.
Mr T. SOWLER, Manchester.
Mr E. CHARNLEY, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Messrs POOL and BOOTH, Chester.
Messrs BEILBY, KNOTT and BEILBY, Birmingham; and
Mr ADAM BLACK, North Bridge, Edinburgh.

The First Volume, consisting of One Hundred Plates, representing Ninety-nine species of Birds, of many of which there are several Figures, is now published. It is expected that other Three Volumes, of equal size, will complete the work.

CONTENTS
OF
VOL. I. OF THE BIRDS OF AMERICA.

_Plates published in 1827._

1. The Wild Turkey. Male, Meleagris Gallopavo. _Linn._
2. Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus. _Bonap._
3. Prothonotary Warbler, Sylvia Protonotarius. _Lath._
4. Purple Finch, Fringilla purpurea. _Gmel._
5. Bonaparte's Fly-catcher, Muscicapa Bonapartii. _Aud._
6. Wild Turkey. Female, Meleagris Gallopavo. _Linn._
7. Purple Grakle, Quiscalus versicolor. _Vieill._
8. White-throated Sparrow, Fringilla pennsylvanica. _Lath._
9. Selby's Flycatcher, Muscicapa Selbii. _Aud._
10. Brown Titlark, Anthus Spinoletta. _Bonap._
11. Bird of Washington, Falco Washingtonii. _Aud._
12. Baltimore Oriole, Icterus Baltimore. _Daud._
13. Snow Bird, Fringilla hyemalis. _Linn._
14. Prairie Warbler, Sylvia discolor. _Vieill._
15. Blue Yellow-backed Warbler, Sylvia americana. _Lath._
16. Great-footed Hawk, Falco peregrinus. _Gmel._
17. Carolina Turtle Dove, Columba carolinensis. _Linn._
18. Bewick's Wren, Troglodytes Bewickii. _Aud._
19. Louisiana Water Thrush, Turdus ludovicianus. _Aud._
20. Blue-winged Yellow Warbler, Sylvia solitaria. _Wils._
21. Mocking Bird, Turdus polyglottus. _Linn._
22. Purple Martin, Hirundo purpurea. _Linn._
23. Maryland Yellow-throat, Sylvia Trichas. _Lath._
24. Roscoe's Yellow-throat, Sylvia Roscoe. _Aud._
25. Song Sparrow, Fringilla melodia. _Wils._

1828.

26. Carolina Parrot, Psittacus carolinensis. _Linn._
27. Red-headed Woodpecker, Picus erythrocephalus. _Linn._
28. Solitary Fly-catcher, Vireo solitarius. _Vieill._
29. Towhe Bunting, Fringilla erythrophthalma. _Linn._
30. Vigors's Warbler, Sylvia Vigorsii. _Aud._
31. White-headed Eagle, Falco leucocephalus. _Linn._
32. Black-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. _Bon._
33. American Goldfinch, Fringilla tristis. _Linn._
34. Worm-eating Warbler, Sylvia vermivora. _Lath._
35. Children's Warbler, Sylvia Childrenii. _Aud._
36. Stanley Hawk, Falco Stanleii. _Aud._
37. Golden-winged Woodpecker, Picus auratus. _Linn._
38. Kentucky Warbler, Sylvia formosa. _Wils._
39. Crested Titmouse, Parus bicolor. _Linn._
40. American Redstart, Muscicapa Ruticilla. _Linn._
41. Ruffed Grouse, Tetrao Umbellus. _Linn._
42. Orchard Oriole, Icterus spurius. _Bonap._
43. Cedar Bird, Bombycilla carolinensis. _Briss._
44. Summer Red Bird, Tanagra æstiva. _Gmel._
45. Traill's Flycatcher, Sylvia Traillii. _Aud._
46. Barred Owl, Strix nebulosa. _Gmel._
47. Ruby-throated Humming Bird, Trochilus colubris. _Linn._
48. Azure Warbler, Sylvia azurea. _Steph._
49. Blue-green Warbler, Sylvia rara. _Lath._
50. Black-and-yellow Warbler, Sylvia maculosa. _Lath._

1829.

51. Red-tailed Hawk, Falco borealis. _Gmel._
52. Chuckwill's Widow, Caprimulgus carolinensis. _Briss._
53. Painted Finch, Fringilla ciris. _Temm._
54. Rice Bird, Icterus agripennis. _Bonap._
55. Cuvier's Regulus, Regulus Cuvierii. _Aud._
56. Red-shouldered Hawk, Falco lineatus. _Gmel._
57. Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus. _Linn._
58. Hermit Thrush, Turdus minor. _Gmel._
59. Chestnut-sided Warbler, Sylvia icterocephala. _Lath._
60. Carbonated Warbler, Sylvia carbonata. _Aud._
61. Great Horned Owl, Strix virginiana. _Gmel._
62. Passenger Pigeon, Columba migratoria. _Linn._
63. White-eyed Flycatcher, Vireo noveboracensis. _Bonap._
64. Swamp Sparrow, Fringilla palustris. _Wils._
65. Rathbone Warbler, Sylvia Rathbonii. _Aud._
66. Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Picus principalis. _Linn._
67. Red-winged Starling, Icterus phœniceus. _Daud._
68. Republican Swallow, Hirundo fulva. _Vieill._
69. Bay-breasted Warbler, Sylvia castanea. _Wils._
70. Henslow's Bunting, Emberiza Henslowii. _Aud._
71. Winter Hawk, Falco hyemalis. _Gmel._
72. Swallow-tailed Hawk, Falco furcatus. _Linn._
73. Wood Thrush, Turdus mustelinus. _Gmel._
74. Indigo Bird, Fringilla cyanea. _Wils._
75. Le Petit Caporal, Falco temerarius. _Aud._

1830.

76. Virginian Partridge, Perdix virginiana. _Lath._
77. Belted Kingsfisher, Alcedo Alcyon. _Linn._
78. Great Carolina Wren, Troglodytes ludovicianus. _Bonap._
79. Tyrant Flycatcher, Muscicapa Tyrannus. _Briss._
80. Prairie Titlark, Anthus pipiens. _Aud._
81. Fish Hawk, Falco Haliäetos. _Linn._
82. Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus. _Wils._
83. House Wren, Troglodytes ædon. _Vieill._
84. Blue-grey Flycatcher, Muscicapa cærulea. _Lath._
85. Yellow-throated Warbler, Sylvia pensilis. _Lath._
86. Black Warrior, Falco Harlani. _Aud._
87. Florida Jay, Corvus floridanus. _Bart._
88. Autumnal Warbler, Sylvia autumnalis. _Wils._
89. Nashville Warbler, Sylvia rubricapilla. _Wils._
90. Black-and-white Creeper, Certhia varia. _Aud._
91. Broad-winged Hawk, Falco pennsylvanicus. Lath_._
92. Pigeon Hawk, Falco columbarius. _Linn._
93. Sea-side Finch, Fringilla maritima. _Wils._
94. Bay-winged Bunting, Fringilla graminea. _Gmel._
95. Yellow-poll Warbler, Sylvia æstiva. _Lath._
96. Columbian Jay, Corvus Bullockii. _Wag._
97. Mottled Owl, Strix Asio. _Linn._
98. White-bellied Swallow, Hirundo bicolor. _Vieill._
99. Cow-pen Bird, Icterus pecoris. _Bonap._
100. Marsh Wren, Troglodytes palustris. _Bonap._

EXTRACTS FROM REVIEWS.

_Extract from a Report made to the Royal Academy of Sciences of Paris._ By BARON CUVIER.

L'Academie m'a chargé de lui rendre un compte verbal de l'ouvrage qui lui a été communiqué dans une de ses précédentes séances par M. Audubon, et qui a pour objet les oiseaux de l'Amerique Septentrionale. On peut le caractériser en peu de mots, en disant que c'est le monument le plus magnifique qui ait encore été élevé à l'ornithologie.

L'auteur, né à la Louisiane, et qui s'est adonné dès sa jeunesse à la peinture, est venu, il y a 25 ans, se perfectionner dans son art à l'école de David. Retourné dans son pays, il n'a cru pouvoir faire de son talent un usage plus utile, que de le consacrer à la representation des productions les plus brillantes de cet hémisphère. L'observation scrupuleuse nécessaire à des images telles qu'il voulait les faire, l'a bientôt rendu naturaliste.

C'est en sa double qualité d'artiste et de savant, qu'il a produit l'ouvrage qui a été mis sous les yeux de l'Academie. Vous avez été frappés d'un format égal ou supérieur a ce qui a été publié de plus grand en ce genre, et qui approche des doubles planches de la description de l'Egypte. Cette dimension extraordinaire lui a permis de rendre des espèces de la taille de l'aigle et du tétras dans leur grandeur naturelle, et de multiplier celles qui sont moins volumineuses de manière à les représenter dans toutes les attitudes.

Il a pu aussi représenter sur les mêmes planches, et de grandeur naturelle, les végétaux sur lesquels ces oiseaux se tiennent le plus habituellement, et donner dans le plus grand détail leurs nids et leurs œufs.

L'exécution de ces planches, si remarquables par leur grandeur, nous paraît avoir également bien réussi, sous le rapport du dessin, de la gravure et du coloris, et quoiqu'il soit difficile à l'enluminure de rendre les reliefs avec autant d'effet, qu'à la peinture proprement dite, ce n'est pas un inconvenient pour des ouvrages d'histoire naturelle; les naturalistes préfèrent la couleur propre des objects, à ces teintes accidentelles, résultat des diverses inflexions de la lumière, nécessaires pour compléter la vérité pittoresque, mais étrangères et nuisibles même à la vérité scientifique.

M. Audubon a déjà préparé quatre cents dessins qui contiennent à-peu pres deux mille figures, et il se propose de les publier successivement, s'il est encouragé par les amateurs. Un ouvrage conçu et exécuté d'après un plan si vaste, n'a qu'un défaut, et sans doute que sur celui-là mes auditeurs m'ont déjà prévenu, c'est que sa cherté le rend presqu' inaccessible à la plupart de ceux auxquels il serait le plus nécessaire. Toutefois on ne peut pas dire que le prix en soit exorbitant. Une livraison de cinq planches se paie deux guinées; chaque planche revient donc à 10 ou 11 fr., et comme il n'en paraîtra que cinq livraisons par an, la dépense annuelle de son acquisition ne serait pas énorme. Il est à désirer du moins, dans l'intérêt de l'art autant que dans celui de la science, que les grands dépôts publics, et les propriétaires qui aiment à enrichir leurs bibliothèques d'ouvrages de luxe, veuillent se le procurer.

Autrefois c'étaient les naturalistes Européens qui étaient obligés de faire connaître à l'Amérique les richesses qu'elle possédait; maintenant les Mitchill, les Harlan, les Wilson, les Charles Bonaparte, rendent avec usure à l'Europe ce que l'Amérique en a reçu. L'histoire des oiseaux des Etats-Unis de Wilson égalait déjà en élégance nos plus beaux ouvrages d'ornithologie. Si celui de M. Audubon se termine, il faudra convenir que ce sera l'Amérique qui, pour la magnificence de l'exécution, aura surpassé l'Ancien Monde.

_Extract from a Review by W. SWAINSON, Esq. F. R. S. F. L. S. &c., published in the Natural History Magazine, for May 1828._

M. Audubon, if I have been rightly informed, is a citizen of America, descended from French parents. Devotedly attached to the study of nature, no less than to painting, he seems to have pursued both with a genius and an ardour, of which, in their united effects, there is no parallel. His two ornithological narratives, printed in one of the Scotch journals, are as valuable to the scientific world, as they are delightful to the general reader. They give us a rich foretaste of what we may hope and expect from such a man. There is a freshness and an originality about these essays, which can only be compared to the animated biographies of Wilson. Both these men contemplated Nature as she really is, not as she is represented in books; they sought her in her sanctuaries. The shore, the mountain, and the forest were alternately their study, and there they drank the pure stream of knowledge at its fountain-head. The observations of such men, are the corner-stones of every attempt to discover the system of nature. Their writings will be consulted when our favourite theories shall have passed into oblivion. Ardently, therefore, do I hope, that M. Audubon will alternately become the historian and the painter of his favourite objects, that he will never be made a convert to any system, but instruct and delight us as a true and unprejudiced biographer of nature.

I am now to speak of M. Audubon more particularly as a painter. I shall, therefore, view the work before me as a specimen of the fine arts, and judge of it by those rules which constitute pictorial criticism. The size of the plates exceeds any thing of the kind I have ever seen or heard of; they are no less than 3 feet 3 inches long by 2 feet 2 inches broad. On this vast surface every bird is represented in its full dimensions. Large as is the paper, it is sometimes (as in the Male Wild Turkey, pl. 1.) barely sufficient for the purpose. In other cases, it enables the painter to group his figures, in the most beautiful and varied attitudes, on the trees or plants they frequent. Some are feeding, others darting, pursuing, or capturing their prey: all have life and animation. The plants, fruits and flowers which enrich the scene are alone still. These latter, from their critical accuracy, are as valuable to the botanist as the birds are to the ornithologist.

Such is the general character of the work, but it is of a nature to demand a more particular notice. What I have said might, in a general way, be repeated of others. This, as I shall presently shew, is perfectly unique, both in its conception and execution. To explain this, I shall call the reader's attention to the following plates, or rather pictures.

_Turtle-Doves of Carolina._ (Plate 17.) It is quite impossible to treat this subject with greater truth or delicacy of conception, than it has here received. In a thicket of the beautiful _Stuartia Malacodendron_, (whose white blossoms are emblematic, like the dove, of chasteness and purity), a pair of turtles have built their nest. The female is sitting, and, their union being consummated, she is receiving the caresses of the male. Above is another pair their love is in its infancy. The male, seated on the same branch with his intended partner, is eagerly pressing forwards to reach a "stolen kiss," but the head of the female is coyly turned. Her secret satisfaction is, however, expressed by the agitation of her wings and tail. If the artist had never painted any picture but this, it would secure him the highest meed of praise, as long as truth and nature continued the same.

_Mocking Birds defending their nest from a Rattlesnake._ (Plate 21.) The same poetic sentiment and masterly execution characterizes this picture. The formidable reptile has driven the female bird from her eggs, which he intends to suck. Unable to defend them while sitting, she clings to the side, and, "with outstretched wings and forward breast," seems prepared to strike her bill into the very jaws of her enemy. Her cries have brought two others of her race to the spot; but these, not feeling a parent's solicitude, "come not boldly" to the attack. On the courage of the male bird the fate of the conflict seems to depend. He is close to the serpent, aiming a deadly stroke at its eye, while his own is lighted up with a determination and courage, which seem to bespeak anticipated victory. Every part of the story is told with exquisite feeling, the artist has thrown his greatest skill in the figure of the female bird, and it is uncommonly fine.

It will depend on the powerful and the wealthy, whether Britain shall have the honour of fostering such a magnificent undertaking. It will be a lasting monument, not only to the memory of its author, but to those who employ their wealth in patronizing genius, and in supporting the national credit. If any publication deserves such a distinction, it is surely this, inasmuch as it exhibits a perfection in the higher attributes of zoological painting, never before attempted. To represent the passions and the feelings of birds, might, until now, have been well deemed chimerical. Rarely, indeed, do we see their outward forms represented with any thing like nature. In my estimation, not more than three painters ever lived who could draw a bird. Of these the lamented Barrabaud, of whom France may be justly proud, was the chief. He has long passed away; but his mantle has, at length, been recovered in the forests of America.

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FOOTNOTES

[1] In America, the term _mast_ is not confined to the fruit of the
beech, but is used as a general name for all kinds of forest fruits,
including even grapes and berries.

[2] The peculiarities in the structure of the plumage of different species
of birds might, if duly attended to, prove of essential service to the
systematic ornithologist, as conducing, along with other circumstances,
to the elucidation of the natural affinities of birds. On this subject,
I would refer the system-makers to the valuable observations of Mr
MACGILLIVRAY in the Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal for 1828.

[3] After the summer showers, the ground is seen covered with multitudes
of very small frogs, of a brownish-black colour, which many of the
inhabitants foolishly suppose to have descended from the clouds. Some
of these I have occasionally found in the stomach of the Black-billed
Cuckoo.