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the Cornell University Library.
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the United States on the use of the text.
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924052328386
AUDUBON
AND
HIS JOURNALS
“GNASNMOL "NM ‘f Ad “Vd “OD YHLSHHD NI
‘€€gr Wr AVIN LOHS ‘NMONN HAA NANIOUdS AINO SHL 4O NOoMNany ‘ff Ad ONIMVUC GAHSINIANA NV WOUS
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‘ONILINOG SGNASNAMOL ‘IIGNASNMOL VZINAINT
AUDUBON AND HIS
JOURNALS
BY
MARIA R. AUDUBON
WITH ZOOLOGICAL AND OTHER NOTES
BY
ELLIOTT COUES
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II.
NEW YORK
CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS
1897
Copyright, 1897,
By CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS.
Bniversity Press:
Joun Witson anp Son CAmpripcE, U.S.A.
CONTENTS
VotumeE II
PAGE
THE MIssouRI RIVER JOURNALS (continued). . - . = . I
EPISODES :
LoOvISVILLE IN KENTUCKY . . . . «© - © © «© © + 199
"EHEcOHIOs* ce ae Ge OR ow a gS a wD
FISHING IN THE OHIO . . . . we ew ee ee + 208
A Witp HorsE . . 2. ew ew ee ee ee BIS
BREAKING UP OF THE ICE. . . . . . « «© « + = 222
THE PRATRIB A) a, SOE Ge le RP ae ee ABD
THE REGULATORS. . - 6 ee ee et ee we we «231
THE EARTHQUAKE. . . 6 + 6 8 6 ee ee ew 234
THE HURRICANE . 2. 1. 1 ee 6 ee we ew ew e237
COLONEL BOONE . . . . ss 6 6 we + ee ee 240
NATCHEZ IN 1820... 1 1 ee ee ee we 246
Tue Lost PORTFOLIO . . . «© ee 6 © 6 © © © 250
THE ORIGINAL PAINTER . . . - ee ee + e + 254
THe CouGAR . 1. 6 1 6 1 we 6 ee ee ee 6260
THe RUNAWAY. - «2. 1. ee ee ew ew te ew e267
A TouGH WALK FOR A YOUTH. . . . + + + + + 274
HOSPITALITY IN THE Woops. . . ... . +. «+ + 280
INTAGARA a 4 G6) Gp aio’ (Pe Ge ee me BBE
MEADVILLE « & @ 8 § 8 oe & we ew ae Se we e289
THE BURNING OF THE FORESTS. . .. +--+ . + + 204
A Lone CaLm aT SEA... we ee ew ee ee 6301
STILL BECALMED . . . - + + ee ee ee es 306
GREAT EGG HARBOR. . . «© eee ee ee ee 3510
THe GREAT PINE SWAMP... ~. . s/s + + + + 314
Tue Lost ONE. «ee ee 8 ee ew we ee BRT
THE LivE-OaAKERS . «© 1. 6 ee ee + © ee + 327
vi CONTENTS
EPISODES:
SPRING GARDEN
DEATH OF A PIRATE.
THE WRECKERS OF FLORIDA .
St. JoHn’s RIVER IN FLORIDA
THE FLoripa Keys. I.
THE FLoripa Keys. II
THe TURTLERS. :
THE FORCE OF THE WATERS.
JouRNEY IN NEw BRUNSWICK AND MAINE .
A Moose Hunt
LABRADOR
THE EGGERS OF LABRADOR
THE SQUATTERS OF LABRADOR .
Cop FISHING
A Batu IN NEWFOUNDLAND .
Tue Bay oF FuNpy .
A FLoop .
THE SQUATTERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI .
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE NAVIGATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI
KENTUCKY SPORTS SB 4a. ig
THE TRAVELLER AND THE POLE-CAT .
DrEER HUNTING goo
THE ECCENTRIC NATURALIST .
SCIPIO AND THE BEAR
A KENTUCKY BARBECUE
A Raccoon Hunt 1n KENTUCKY
PITTING OF WOLVES .
THE Opossum ‘
A MapLe-SuGAR CAMP .
THE WHITE PERCH AND ITS FAVORITE BAIT .
THE AMERICAN SUN PERCH
My STYLE OF DRAWING BIRDS . .
INDEX « @ % @ w © @ 6 &% w # = a
PAGE
333
339
345
352
358
365
371
380
387
393
401
406
4ll
418
426
431
437
443
449
455
462
466
473
481
486
490
497
501
506
509
515
522
529
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Vo. II.
PAGE
EMBERIZA TOWNSENDII (NOW SPIZA TOWNSENDII), TOWNSEND'S
BUNTING . . . 1 es ee we we ee «) Frontispiece
From an unfinished drawing by J. J. Audubon of the only specimen
ever known. Shot May 11, 1833, in Chester County, Pa., by
J. K. Townsend.
AUDUBON = (se we ge oe es a a we Ge 18
From the pencil sketch by Isaac Sprague, 1842. In the possession of
the Sprague family, Wellesley Hills, Mass.
CAMP AT THE THREE MAMELLES. . . ... . . . ~ II8
From a drawing by Audubon, hitherto unpublished.
CAMP ON THE MissouRI. . . . . 6 « + © « « «© « 160
From a drawing by Isaac Sprague.
Mrs. AuDUBON. 1854. . - . 1 e+ 6 sw we we ee 196
From a daguerreotype.
AUDUBON. 1839. 2. «© 2-1 ee ew ee ee ew wt 234
Painted in Edinburgh by J. W. Audubon.
Victor GIFFORD AUDUBON . . . . . - 6 6 6 we ee 274
Painted by Audubon about 1823.
JoHN WooDHOUSE AUDUBON... .. .. +. « « 310
Painted by Audubon about 1823.
TRINGA ALPINA (NOW PELIDNA ALPINA PACIFICA), RED-BACKED
SANDPIPER. 6 + 4 ee ee et ee we we ew BED
From the unpublished drawing by J. J. Audubon, November 24, 1831.
vili ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
AUDUBON. [850. . . . «© 2 6 6 © ee ew ee ee 406
From a daguerreotype. Owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Berthoud Grimshaw.
VicToR GIFFORD AUDUBON. 1853 . . +... . + + 456
JoHN WooDHOUSE AUDUBON. 1853... .. . . . « 486
Oxp MILL AND MILLER’S COTTAGE AT MILL GROVE ON THE
PERKIOMEN CREEK. . 1 ee ee 8 ee ee ee 524
From a photograph from W. H. Wetherill, Esq.
AUDUBON 6 4% 4% @ @ © @ 8 ww # Se ee e §26
From a pencil sketch after death by John Woodhouse Audubon,
January 28, 1851.
Bowie KNIFE. 1. 2. 6 2 1 8 ee 6 ee 8 we 8 we 527
Presented by Henry Carleton.
FACSIMILES OF DIPLOMAS ... . . . . Afend of volume
La Société Linnéenne de Paris. 6 Novembre, 1823.
Lyceum of Natural History, New York. January 13, 1824.
Société d’Histoire Naturelle de Paris. 5 Decembre, 1828.
American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts.
November Io, 1830.
Royal Society of Edinburgh. March 5, 1831.
Royal Jennerian Society, London. July 15, 1836.
Literary and Historical Society of Quebec. November 19,
1836,
Western Academy of Natural Sciences, St. Louis, Mo.
April 17, 1843.
Natural History Society of Montreal. March 29, 1847.
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS
1843
( Continued)
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS
1843
( Continued)
Fune 4, Sunday. We have run pretty well, though the#
wind has been tolerably high; the country we have passed
this day is somewhat better than what we saw yesterday,
which, as I said, was the poorest we have seen, No
occurrence of interest has taken place. We passed this
morning the old Riccaree! Village, where General Ash-
ley? was so completely beaten as to lose eighteen of his
1 “ We halted for dinner at a village which we suppose to have belonged
to the Ricaras. It is situated in a low plain on the river, and consists of
about eighty lodges of an octagon form, neatly covered with earth, placed
as close to each other as possible, and picketed round.” (‘“ Lewis and Clark,”
ed. 1893.)
“The village of the Rikaras, Arickaras, or Rikarees, for the name is vari-
ously written, is between the 46th and 47th parallels of north latitude, and
1,430 miles above the mouth of the Missouri. . . . It was divided into two
portions, about eighty yards apart, being inhabited by two distinct bands.
The whole extended about three quarters of a mile along the river bank, and
was composed of conical lodges, that looked like so many small hillocks,
being wooden frames intertwined with osier, and covered with earth.”
(“ Astoria,” W. Irving.)
“From the hills we had a fine prospect over the bend of the river, on
which the villages of the Arikkaras are situated. The two villages of this
tribe are on the west bank, very near each other, but separated by a small
stream. They consist of a great number of clay huts, round at top, with a
square entrance in front, and the whole surrounded with a fence of stakes,
which were much decayed and in many places thrown down.” (“Travels in
North America,” p. 166, Maximilian, Prince of Wied.)
2 “ General Ashley of Missouri, a man whose courage and achievements
in the prosecution of his enterprises had rendered him famous in the Far
4 AUDUBON
men, with the very weapons and ammunition that he had
trafficked with the Indians of that village, against all the
remonstrances of his friends and interpreters; yet he said
that it proved fortunate for him, as he turned his steps
towards some other spot, where he procured one hundred
packs of Beaver skins for a mere song. We stopped to
cut wood at an old house put up for winter quarters, and
the wood being ash, and quite dry, was excellent. We
are now fast for the night at an abandoned post, or fort,
of the Company, where, luckily for us, a good deal of
wood was found cut. We saw only one Wolf, and a few
small gangs of Buffaloes. Bell shot a Bunting which re-
sembles Henslow’s, but we have no means of comparing
it at present. We have collected a few plants during our
landing. The steam is blowing off, and therefore our
day’s run is ended. When I went to bed last night it
was raining smartly, and Alexis did not go off, as he did
wish. By the way, I forgot to say that along with the
three Prairie Marmots, he brought also four Spoon-billed
Ducks, which we ate at dinner to-day, and found delicious.
Bell saw many Lazuli Finches this morning. Notwith-
standing the tremendous shaking of our boat, Sprague man-
aged to draw four figures of the legs and feet of the Wolf
shot by Bell yesterday, and my own pencil was not idle.
Fune 5, Monday. Alexis went off in the night some-
time, and came on board about three o’clock this morning;
he had seen nothing whatever, except the traces of Beavers
and of Otters, on Beaver Creek, which, by the way, he had
to cross on a raft. Speaking of rafts, I am told that one of
these, made of two bundles of rushes, about the size of a
man’s body, and fastened together by a few sticks, is quite
sufficient to take two men and two packs of Buffalo robes
across this muddy river. In the course of the morning
West in conjunction with Mr. [Andrew ?] Henry, of the Missouri Trading
Co., established a post on the banks of the Yellowstone River in 1822,”
(Capt. Bonneville,” W. Irving.)
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 5
we passed Cannon Ball River,! and the very remarkable
bluffs about it, of which we cannot well speak until we
have stopped there and examined their nature. We saw
two Swans alighting on the prairie at a considerable dis-
tance. We stopped to take wood at Bowie’s settlement,
at which place his wife was killed by some of the Riccaree
Indians, after some Gros Ventres had assured him that
such would be the case if he suffered his wife to go out of
the house. She went out, however, on the second day,
and was shot with three rifle-balls. The Indians took parts
of her hair and went off. She was duly buried; but the
Gros Ventres returned some time afterwards, took up the
body, and carried off the balance of her hair. They, how-
ever, reburied her; and it was not until several months
had elapsed: that the story came to the ears of Mr. Bowie.
We have also passed Apple Creek,” but the chief part is
yet to be added. At one place where the bluffs were
high, we saw five Buffaloes landing a few hundred yards
above us on the western side; one of them cantered off
1 “We reached the mouth of Le Boulet, or Cannon Ball River. This
stream rises in the Black Mts. and falls into the Missouri; its channel is
about 140 feet wide, though the water is now confined within 40; its name
is derived from the numbers of perfectly round stones on the shore and
in the bluffs just above.” (‘ Lewis and Clark,” ed. 1893.)
“ We came to an aperture in the chain of hills, from which this river,
which was very high, issues. On the north side of the mouth there was a
steep, yellow clay wall; andon the southern, a flat, covered with poplars and
willows. This river has its name from the singular regular sandstone balls
which are found in its banks, and in those of the Missouri in its vicinity.
They are of various sizes, from that of a musket ball to that of a large
bomb, and lie irregularly on the bank, or in the strata, from which they often
project to half their thickness; when the river has washed away the earth
they then fall down, and are found in great numbers on the bank. Many of
them are rather elliptical, others are more flattened, others flat on one side
and convex on the other. Of the perfectly spherical balls, I observed some
two feet in diameter. A mile above the mouth of Cannon Ball River I saw
no more of them.” (“Travels in North America,” p. 167, Maximilian,
Prince of Wied.)
2 Present name of the stream which falls into the Missouri from the east,
about five miles below Fort Rice; Chewah or Fish River of Lewis and
Clark; Shewash River of Maximilian, Audubon is now approaching
Bismarck, the capital of North Dakota.— E.C.
6 AUDUBON
immediately, and by some means did reach the top of the
hills, and went out of our sight; the four others ran, waded,
and swam at different places, always above us, trying to
make their escape. At one spot they attempted to climb
the bluff, having unconsciously passed the place where
their leader had made good his way, and in their attempts
to scramble up, tumbled down, and at last became so
much affrighted that they took to the river for good, with
the intention to swim to the shore they had left. Unfor-
tunately for them, we had been gaining upon them; we
had all been anxiously watching them, and the moment
they began to swim we were all about the boat with guns
and rifles, awaiting the instant when they would be close
under our bows. The moment came; I was on the lower
deck among several of the people with guns, and the
firing was soon heavy; but not one of the Buffaloes was
stopped, although every one must have been severely hit
and wounded. Bell shot a load of buckshot at the head of
one, which disappeared entirely under the water for per-
haps a minute. I sent a ball through the neck of the last
of the four, but all ineffectually, and off they went, swim-
ming to the opposite shore; one lagged behind the rest,
but, having found footing on a sand-bar, it rested awhile, and
again swam off to rejoin its companions. They all reached
the shore, but were quite as badly off on that side as they
had been on the other, and their difficulties must have
been great indeed; however, in a short time we had passed
them. Mr. Charles Primeau,! who is a good shot, and who
killed the young Buffalo bull the other day, assured me
that it was his opinion the whole of these would die before
1 Charles Primeau was born at St. Louis, Mo., entered the American
Fur Company as clerk, and continued in that service many years. Later he
helped to form an opposition company under the name of Harvey, Primeau,
& Co., which did business for a few years, until, like most of the smaller
concerns, it was absorbed by the American Fur Co. He then went back to
his former employers, and afterward was engaged by the U. S. Government
as Indian interpreter, long holding this position. In 1896 he was living in
the vicinity of Fort Yates, —E. C.
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 7
sundown, but that Buffaloes swimming were a hundred
times more difficult to kill than those on shore. I have
been told also, that a Buffalo shot by an Indian, in the
presence of several whites, exhibited some marks on the
inside of the skin that looked like old wounds, and that on
close examination they found no less than six balls in its
paunch. Sometimes they will run a mile after having been
struck through the heart; whilst at other times they will
fall dead without such desperate shot. Alexis told me
that once he shot one through the thigh, and that it fell
dead on the spot. We passed this afternoon a very curious
conical mound of earth, about which Harris and I had
some curiosity, by which I lost two pounds of snuff, as he
was right, and I was wrong. We have seen Geese and
Goslings, Ravens, Blue Herons, Bluebirds, Thrushes, Red-
headed Woodpeckers and Red-shafted ditto, Martins, an
immense number of Rough-winged Swallows about their
holes, and Barn Swallows. We heard Killdeers last even-
ing. Small Crested Flycatchers, Summer Yellow-birds,
Maryland Yellow-throats, House Wrens are seen as we pass
along our route; while the Spotted Sandpiper accompanies
us all along the river. Sparrow Hawks, Turkey Buzzards,
Arctic Towhee Buntings, Cat-birds, Mallards, Coots, Gad-
walls, King-birds, Yellow-breasted Chats, Red Thrushes, all
are noted as we pass. We have had a good day’s run;
it is now half-past ten. The wind has been cold, and
this evening we have had a dash of rain. We have seen
only one Wolf. We have heard some wonderful stories
about Indians and white men, none of which I can well
depend upon. We have stopped for the night a few miles
above where the “ Assiniboin ”! steamer was burnt with all
her cargo uninsured, in the year 1835. I heard that after
she had run ashore, the men started to build a scow to
unload the cargo; but that through some accident the
1 The “ Assiniboin ” was the steamer on which Maximilian, Prince of
Wied, travelled down the Missouri in 1833,
38 AUDUBON
vessel was set on fire, and that a man and a woman who
alone had been left on board, walked off to the island,
where they remained some days unable to reach shore.
Fune 6, Tuesday. This morning was quite cold, and we
had a thick white frost on our upper deck. It was also
extremely cloudy, the wind from the east, and all about
us looked dismal enough. The hands on board seemed to
have been busy the whole of the night, for I scarcely slept
for the noise they made. We soon came to a very difficult
part of the river, and had to stop full three hours. Mean-
while the yawl went off to seek and sound for a channel,
whilst the wood-cutters and the carriers — who, by the way,
are called “ charrettes ” 1 — followed their work, and we
gathered a good quantity of drift-wood, which burns like
straw. Our hopes of reaching the Mandan Village were
abandoned, but we at last proceeded on our way and passed
the bar; it was nearly dinner-time. Harris and Bell had
their guns, and brought two Arctic Towhee Buntings
and a Black-billed Cuckoo. They saw two large flocks of
Geese making their way westward. The place where we
landed showed many signs of Deer, Elk, and Buffaloes.
I saw trees where the latter had rubbed their heavy bodies
against the bark, till they had completely robbed the tree
of its garment. We saw several Red-shafted Woodpeckers,
and other birds named before. The Buffalo, when hunted on
horseback, does zof carry its tail erect, as has been repre-
sented in books, but close between the legs; but when you
see a Buffalo bull work its tail sideways in a twisted rolling
fashion, ¢hen take care of him, as it is a sure sign of his in-
tention to rush against his pursuer’s horse, which is very
dangerous, both to hunter and steed. As we proceeded I
saw two fine White-headed Eagles alighting on their’ nest,
1 This is an interesting note of the early French name on the Missouri
of the persons about a boat whom we should call “ stevedores,” or “ roust-
abouts.” The French word charette, or charrette, occurs also as a personal
name, and it will be remembered that there was a town of La Charette on
the Lower Missouri. — E. C.
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 9
where perhaps they had young—and how remarkably
late in the season this species does breed here! We also
saw a young Sandhill Crane, and on an open prairie four
Antelopes a few hundred yards off. Alexis tells me that at
this season this is a rare occurrence, as the females are
generally in the brushwood now; but in this instance the
male and three females were on open prairie. We have
passed what is called the Heart’ River, and the Square
Hills, which, of course, are by no means square, but simply
more level than the generality of those we have passed for
upwards of three weeks. We now saw four barges be-
longing to our company, and came to, above them, as usual.
A Mr. Kipp, one of the partners, came on board; and
Harris, Squires, and myself had time to write each a short
letter to our friends at home. Mr. Kipp had a peculiar
looking crew who appeared not much better than a set of
bandits among the Pyrenees or the Alps; yet they seem
to be the very best sort of men for trappers and boatmen.
We exchanged four of our men for four of his, as the
latter are wanted at the Yellowstone. The country ap-
pears to Harris and to myself as if we had outrun the
progress of vegetation, as from the boat we observed oaks
scarcely in leaflets, whilst two hundred miles below, and
indeed at a much less distance, we saw the same timber in
nearly full leaf; flowers are also scarce. A single Wolf
was seen by some one on deck. Nothing can be possibly
keener than the senses of hearing and sight, as well as of
smell, in the Antelope. Not one was ever known to jump
up close to a hunter; and the very motion of the grasses,
as these are wafted by the wind, will keep them awake
and on the alert. Immediately upon the breaking up of the
ice about the Mandan Village, three Buffaloes were seen
floating down on a large cake; they were seen by Mr.
1 Heart River, the stream which falls into the Missouri near the town of
Mandan, about opposite Bismarck, N. Dak. Here the river is now bridged
by the Northern Pacific Railroad, which crosses the Missouri from Bismarck,
and follows up Heart River for some distance. — E, C
fe) AUDUBON
Primeau from his post, and again from Fort Pierre. How
much further the poor beasts travelled, no one can tell. It
happens not infrequently, when the river is entirely closed in
with ice, that some hundreds of Buffaloes attempt to cross;
their aggregate enormous weight forces the ice to break,
and the whole of the gang are drowned, as it is impossible
for these animals to climb over the surrounding sharp
edges of the ice. We have seen not less than three nests
of White-headed Eagles thisday. Weare fast ashore about
sixteen miles belowthe Mandan Villages, and will, in all prob-
ability, reach there to-morrow morning at an early hour.
It is raining yet, and the day has been a most unpleasant one.
Fune 7, Wednesday. We had a vile night of rain, and
wind from the northeast, which is still going on, and likely
to continue the whole of this blessed day. Yesterday,
when we had a white frost, ice was found in the kettles of
Mr. Kipp’s barges. We reached Fort Clark! and the
Mandan Villages at half-past seven this morning. Great
guns were fired from the fort and from the “‘ Omega,” as our
captain took the guns from the “ Trapper” at Fort Pierre.
The site of this fort appears a good one, though it is
placed considerably below the Mandan Village. We saw
some small spots cultivated, where corn, pumpkins, and
beans are grown. The fort and village are situated on the
high bank, rising somewhat to the elevation of a hill. The
Mandan mud huts are very far from looking poetical,
although Mr. Catlin has tried to render them so by placing
them in regular rows, and all of the same size and form,
which is by no means the case. But different travellers
have different eyes! We saw more Indians than at any
1“ Fort Clark came in sight, with a background of the blue prairie hills,
and with the gay American banner waving from the flag-staff. . . . The fort
is built on a smaller scale, on a plan similar to that of all the other trading
posts or forts of the company. Immediately behind the fort there were, in
the prairie, seventy leather tents of the Crows.” (Prince of Wied, Pp. 171.)
Fort Clark stood on the right bank of the Missouri, and thus across the
river from the original Fort Mandan built by Lewis and Clark in the fall of
1804. Maximilian has much to say of it and of Mr. Kipp.
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS II
previous time since leaving St. Louis; and it is possible
that there are a hundred huts, made of mud, all looking
like so many potato winter-houses in the Eastern States.
As soon as we were near the shore, every article that could
conveniently be carried off was placed under lock and key,
and our division door was made fast, as well as those of our
own rooms. Even the axes and poles were put by. Our
captain told us that last year they stole his cap and his
shot-pouch and horn, and that it was through the inter-
ference of the first chief that he recovered his cap and
horn; but that a squaw had his leather belt, and would
not give itup. The appearance of these poor, miserable
devils, as we approached the shore, was wretched enough.
There they stood in the pelting rain and keen wind, covered
with Buffalo robes, red blankets, and the like, some par-
tially and most curiously besmeared with mud; and as
they came on board, and we shook hands with each of
them, I felt a clamminess that rendered the ceremony most
repulsive. Their legs and naked feet were covered with
mud. They looked at me with apparent curiosity, perhaps
on account of my beard, which produced the same effect
at Fort Pierre. They all looked very poor; and our cap-
tain says they are the xe plus ultra of thieves. It is said
there are nearly three thousand men, women, and children
that, during winter, cram themselves into these miser-
able hovels. Harris and I walked to the fort about nine
o'clock. The walking was rascally, passing through mud
and water the whole way. The yard of the fort itself was
as bad. We entered Mr. Chardon’s own room, crawled up
a crazy ladder, and in a low garret I had the great pleasure
of seeing alive the Swift or Kit Fox which he has given to
me. It ran swiftly from one corner to another, and, when
approached, growled somewhat in the manner of acommon
Fox. Mr. Chardon told me that good care would be taken
of it until our return, that it would be chained to render it
more gentle, and that I would find it an easy matter to take
12 AUDUBON
it along. I sincerely hope so. Seeing a remarkably fine
skin of a large Cross Fox! which I wished to buy, it was
handed over to me. After this, Mr. Chardon asked one of
the Indians to take us into the village, and particularly to
show us the “ Medicine Lodge.” We followed our guide
through mud and mire, even into the Lodge. We found
this to be, in general terms, like all the other lodges, only
larger, measuring twenty-three yards in diameter, with a
large squarish aperture in the centre of the roof, some six
or seven feet long by about four wide. We had entered
this curiosity shop by pushing aside a wet Elk skin stretched
on four sticks. Looking around, I saw a number of cala-
bashes, eight or ten Otter skulls, two very large Buffalo
skulls with the horns on, evidently of great age, and some
sticks and other magical implements with which none but
a “Great Medicine Man” is acquainted. During my sur-
vey there sat, crouched down on his haunches, an Indian
wrapped in a dirty blanket, with only his filthy head peeping
out. Our guide spoke to him; but he stirred not. Again,
at the foot of one of the posts that support the central por-
tion of this great room, lay a parcel that I took for a bun-
dle of Buffalo robes; but it moved presently, and from
beneath it half arose the emaciated body of a poor blind
Indian, whose skin was quite shrivelled; and our guide
made us signs that he was about to die. We all shook
both hands with him; and he pressed our hands closely and
with evident satisfaction. He had his pipe and tobacco
pouch by him, and soon lay down again. We left this
abode of mysteries, as I was anxious to see the interior of
one of the common huts around; and again our guide led
us through mud and mire to his own lodge, which we
entered in the same way as we had done the other. All
1 This Fox was probably the cross variety of the Long-tailed Prairie
Fox, Vulpes macrourus of Baird, Stansbury’s Exped. Great Salt Lake, June,
1852, p. 309; Vulpes utah of Aud. and Bach. Quad. N. Am. iii., 1853, p. 255,
pl. 151 (originally published by them in Proc. Acad. Philad., July, 1852,
p. 114).— E. C.
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 13
these lodges have a sort of portico that leads to the door,
and on the tops of most of them I observed Buffalo skulls.
This lodge contained the whole family of our guide —
several women and children, and another man, per-
haps a son-in-law or a brother. All these, except the
man, were on the outer edge of the lodge, crouching
on the ground, some suckling children; and at nearly
equal distances apart were placed berths, raised about
two feet above the ground, made of leather, and with
square apertures for the sleepers or occupants to enter.
The man of whom I have spoken was lying down in
one of these, which was all open in front. I walked up
to him, and, after disturbing his happy slumbers, shook
hands with him; he made signs for me to sit down; and
after Harris and I had done so, he rose, squatted himself
near us, and, getting out a large spoon made of boiled
Buffalo horn, handed it to a young girl, who brought a
great rounded wooden bowl filled with pemmican, mixed
with corn and some other stuff. I ate a mouthful or so of
it, and found it quite palatable; and Harris and the rest
then ate of it also. Bell was absent; we had seen nothing
of him since we left the boat. This lodge, as well as the
other, was dirty with water and mud; but I am told that in
dry weather they are kept cleaner, and much cleaning do
they need, most truly. A round, shallow hole was dug in
the centre for the fire; and from the roof descended over
this a chain, by the aid of which they do their cooking,
the utensil being attached to the chain when wanted. As
we returned towards the fort, I gave our guide a piece of
tobacco, and he appeared well pleased. He followed us
on board, and as he peeped in my room, and saw the
dried and stuffed specimens we have, he evinced a slight
degree of curiosity. Our captain, Mr. Chardon, and our
men have been busily engaged in putting ashore that por-
tion of the cargo designed for this fort, which in general
appearance might be called a poor miniature representa-
14 AUDUBON
tion of Fort Pierre. The whole country around was over-
grown with “Lamb’s quarters” (Chenopodium album),
which I have no doubt, if boiled, would take the place of
spinach in this wild and, to my eyes, miserable country,
the poetry of which lies in the imagination of those writers
who have described the “ velvety prairies ” and “‘ enchanted
castles” (of mud), so common where we now are. We
observed a considerable difference in the color of these
Indians, who, by the way, are almost all Riccarees; many
appeared, and in fact are, redder than others; they are
lank, rather tall, and very alert, but, as I have said before,
all look poor and dirty. After dinner we went up the
muddy bank again to look at the corn-fields, as the small
patches that are meanly cultivated are called. We found
poor, sickly looking corn about two inches high, that had
been represented to us this morning as full six inches high.
We followed the prairie, a very extensive one, to the hills,
and there found a deep ravine, sufficiently impregnated with
saline matter to answer the purpose of salt water for the
Indians to boil their corn and pemmican, clear and clean;
but they, as well as the whites at the fort, resort to the
muddy Missouri for their drinking water, the only fresh
water at hand. Nota drop of spirituous liquor has been
brought to this place for the last two years; and there can
be no doubt that on this account the Indians have become
more peaceable than heretofore, though now and then a
white man is murdered, and many horses are stolen. As
we walked over the plain, we saw heaps of earth thrown up
to cover the poor Mandans who died of the small-pox.
These mounds in many instances appear to contain the
remains of several bodies and, perched on the top, lies,
pretty generally, the rotting skull of a Buffalo. Indeed,
the skulls of the Buffaloes seem as if a kind of relation to
these most absurdly superstitious and ignorant beings. I
could not hear a word of the young Grizzly Bear of which
Mr. Chardon had spoken to me. He gave me his Buffalo
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 15
head-dress and other trifles—as he was pleased to call
them; all of which will prove more or less interesting
and curious to you when they reach Minniesland. He
presented Squires with a good hunting shirt and a few
other things, and to all of us, presented moccasins. We
collected a few round cacti; and I saw several birds that
looked much the worse for the cold and wet weather we
have had these last few days. Our boat has been thronged
with Indians ever since we have tied to the shore; and it
is with considerable difficulty and care that we can stop
them from intruding into our rooms when we are there.
We found many portions of skulls lying on the ground,
which, perhaps, did at one period form the circles of them
spoken of by Catlin. All around the village is filthy be-
yond description. Our captain tells us that no matter
what weather we may have to-morrow, he will start at
daylight, even if he can only go across the river, to get
rid of these wolfish-looking vagabonds of Indians. I sin-
cerely hope that we may have a fair day and a long run,
so that the air around us may once more be pure and
fresh from the hand of Nature. After the Riccarees had
taken possession of this Mandan Village, the remains of
that once powerful tribe removed about three miles up the
river, and there have now fifteen or twenty huts, contain-
ing, of course, only that number of families. During the
worst periods of the epidemic which swept over this vil-
lage with such fury, many became maniacs, rushed to the
Missouri, leaped into its turbid waters, and were seen no
more. Mr. Primeau, wife, and children, as well as another
half-breed, have gone to the fort, and are to remain there
till further orders. The fort is in a poor condition, roofs
leaking, etc. Whilst at the fort this afternoon, I was
greatly surprised to see a tall, athletic Indian thrashing
1 No doubt the Mammillaria vivipara, a small globose species, quite
different from the common Ofuniza or prickly pear of the Missouri region.
—E. Cc.
16 AUDUBON
the dirty rascals about Mr. Chardon’s door most severely;
but I found on inquiry that he was called “the soldier,” !
and that he had authority to do so whenever the Indians
intruded or congregated in the manner this canazlle had
done. After a while the same tall fellow came on board
with his long stick, and immediately began belaboring the
fellows on the lower guards; the latter ran off over the
planks, and scrambled up the muddy banks as if so many
affrighted Buffaloes. Since then we have been compara-
tively quiet; but I hope they will all go off, as the captain
is going to put the boat from the shore, to the full length
of our spars. The wind has shifted to the northward, and
the atmosphere has been so chilled that a House Swallow
was caught, benumbed with cold, and brought to me by
our captain. Harris, Bell, and I saw a Cliff Swallow take
refuge on board; but this was not caught. We have seen
Say’s Flycatcher, the Ground Finch, Cow Buntings, and a
few other birds. One of the agents arrived this afternoon
from the Gros Ventre, or Minnetaree Village, about twelve
miles above us. He is represented as a remarkably brave
man, and he relates some strange adventures of his
prowess. Several great warriors have condescended to
shake me by the hand; their very touch is disgusting —
it will indeed be a deliverance to get rid of all this “ Indian
poetry.” We are, nevertheless, to take a few to the Yellow-
stone. Alexis has his wife, who is, in fact, a good-looking
young woman; an old patroon, Provost, takes one of his
daughters along; and we have, besides, several red-skinned
single gentlemen. We were assured that the northern
parts of the hills, that form a complete curtain to the
vast prairie on which we have walked this afternoon, are
still adorned with patches of snow that fell there during
last winter. It is now nine o’clock, but before I go to rest
1 The individual so designated was an important functionary in these
villages, whose authority corresponded with that of our “chief of police,”
and was seldom if ever disputed. — E. C.
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 17
I cannot resist giving you a description of the curious
exhibition that we have had on board, from a numerous
lot of Indians of the first class, say some forty or fifty.
They ranged themselves along the sides of the large
cabin, squatting on the floor. Coffee had been prepared
for the whole party, and hard sea-biscuit likewise. The
coffee was first given to each of them, and afterwards the
biscuits, and I had the honor of handing the latter to the
row on one side of the boat; a box of tobacco was opened
and laid on the table. The man who came from the Gros
Ventres this afternoon proved to be an excellent interpre-
ter; and after the captain had delivered his speech to him,
he spoke loudly to the group, and explained the purport
of the captain’s speech. They grunted their approbation
frequently, and were, no doubt, pleased. Two individuals
(Indians) made their appearance highly decorated, with
epaulets on the shoulders, red clay on blue uniforms, three
cocks’ plumes in their head-dress, rich moccasins, leggings,
etc. These are men who, though in the employ of the
Opposition company, act truly as friends; but who, mean-
time, being called “Braves,” never grunted, bowed, or
shook hands with any of us. Supper over and the tobacco
distributed, the whole body arose simultaneously, and each
and every one of these dirty wretches we had all to shake
by the hand. The two braves sat still until all the rest
had gone ashore, and then retired as majestically as they
had entered, not even shaking hands with our good-
humored captain. Iam told that this performance takes
place once every year, on the passing of the Company’s
boats. I need not say that the coffee and the two biscuits
apiece were gobbled down in less than no time. The
tobacco, which averaged about two pounds to each man,
was hid in their robes or blankets for future use. Two of
the Indians, who must have been of the highest order,
and who distributed the “rank weed,” were nearly naked ;
one had on only a breech-clout and one legging, the other
VOL. Il. — 2
18 AUDUBON
was in no better case. They are now all ashore except
one or more who are going with us to the Yellowstone;
and I will now goto my rest. Though I have said “ Good-
night,” I have arisen almost immediately, and I must write
on, for we have other scenes going on both among the
trappers below and some of the people above. Many
Indians, squaws as well as men, are bartering and trading,
and keep up such a babble that Harris and I find sleep
impossible; needless to say, the squaws who are on board
are of the lowest grade of morality.
Sune 8, Thursday. This morning was fair and cold, as
you see by the range of the thermometer, 37° to 56°. We
started at a very early hour, and breakfasted before five,
on account of the village of Gros Ventres, where our cap-
tain had to stop. We passed a few lodges belonging to
the tribe of the poor Mandans, about all that remained.
I only counted eight, but am told there are twelve. The
village of the Gros Ventres (Minnetarees) has been cut off
from the bank of the river by an enormous sand-bar, now
overgrown with willows and brush, and we could only see
the American flag flying in the cool breeze. Two miles
above this, however, we saw an increasing body of Indians,
for the prairie was sprinkled with small parties, on horse
and on foot. The first who arrived fired a salute of small
guns, and we responded with our big gun. They had an
abundance of dogs harnessed to take wood back to the vil-
lage, and their yells and fighting were severe upon our
ears. Some forty or more of the distinguished black-
guards came on board; and we had to close our doors as
we did yesterday. After a short period they were feasted
as last evening; and speeches, coffee, and tobacco, as well
as some gunpowder, were given them, which they took
away in packs, to be divided afterward. We took one
more passenger, and lost our interpreter, who is a trader
with the Minnetarees. The latter are by no means as
fine-looking a set of men as those we have seen before,
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 19
and I observed none of that whiteness of skin among
them. There were numbers of men, women, and chil-
dren. We saw acrippled:and evidently tame Wolf, and
two Indians, following us on the top of the hills. We
saw two Swans on a bar, and a female Elk, with her
young fawn, for a few minutes. I wished that we had
been ashore, as I know full well that the mother would
not leave her young; and the mother killed, the young
one would have been easily caught alive. We are now
stopping for the night, and our men are cutting wood.
We have done this, I believe, four times to-day, and have
run upward of sixty miles. At the last wood-cutting
place, a young leveret was started by the men, and after
a short race, the poor thing squatted, and was killed by
the stroke of a stick. It proved to be the young of Lepus
townsendit [L. campestris], large enough to have left the
mother, and weighing rather more than a pound. It isa
very beautiful specimen. The eyes are very large, and
the iris pure amber color. Its hair is tightly, but beau-
tifully curled. Its measurements are as follows [omitted].
Bell will make a fine skin of it to-morrow morning. We
have had all sorts of stories related to us; but Mr. Kipp,
who has been in the country for twenty-two years, is
evidently a person of truth, and I expect a good deal of
information from him. Our captain told us that on a
previous voyage some Indians asked him if, “when the
great Medicine” (meaning the steamer) “was tired, he
gave it whiskey.” Mr. Sire laughed, and told them he
did. “How much?” was the query. “A barrelful, to
be sure!” The poor wretches at first actually believed
him, and went off contented, but were naturally angry
at being undeceived on a later occasion. I have now
some hope of finding a young of the Antelope alive at
Fort Union, as Mr. Kipp left one there about ten days
ago. I am now going to bed, though our axemen and
“charettes” are still going; and I hope I may not be
20 AUDUBON
called up to-morrow morning, to be ready for breakfast at.
half-past four. Harris and Bell went off with Alexis.
Bell fired at a bird, anda large Wolf immediately made
its appearance. This is always the case in this country;
when you shoot an animal and hide yourself, you may see,
in less than half an hour, from ten to thirty of these hun-
gry rascals around the carcass, and have fine fun shooting
at them. We have had a windy day, but a good run on
the whole. I hope to-morrow may prove propitious, and
that we shall reach Fort Union in five more days.
Fune 9, Friday. Thermometer 42°, 75°, 66°. We had
a heavy white frost last night, but we have had a fine,
pleasant day on the whole, and to me a most interesting
one. We passed the Little Missouri! (the real one) about
ten this morning. It is a handsome stream, that runs all
the way from the Black Hills, one of the main spurs of
the mighty Rocky Mountains. We saw three Elks swim-
ming across it, and the number of this fine species of
Deer that are about us now is almost inconceivable. We
have heard of burning springs, which we intend to ex-
amine on our way down. We started a Goose from the
shore that had evidently young ones; she swam off, beat-
ing the water with wings half extended, until nearly one
hundred yards off. A shot from a rifle was fired at her,
1 “Tt rises to the west of the Black Mts., across the northern extremity of
which it finds a narrow, rapid passage along high perpendicular banks, then
seeks the Missouri in a northeasterly direction, through a broken country
with highlands bare of timber, and the low grounds particularly supplied
with cottonwood, elm, small ash, box, alder, and an undergrowth of willow,
red-wood, red-berry, and choke-cherry. ... It enters the Missouri with a
bold current, and is 134 yards wide, but its greatest depth is two feet
and a half, which, joined to its rapidity and its sand-bars, makes the
navigation difficult except for canoes.” (‘Lewis and Clark,” ed. 1893,
pp. 267, 268.
“We came to a green spot at the mouth of the Little Missouri, which is
reckoned to be 1670 miles from the mouth of the great Missouri. The
chain of blue hills, with the same singular forms as we had seen before,
appeared on the other side of this river.” (“Travels in North America,”
Prince of Wied, p. 182.”)
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 21
and happily missed the poor thing; she afterwards low-
ered her neck, sank her body, and with the tip of the bill
only above water, kept swimming away from us till out of
sight. Afterwards one of the trappers shot at two Geese
with two young ones. We landed at four o’clock, and
Harris and Bell shot some Bay-winged Buntings and
Emberiza pallida, whilst Sprague and I went up to the
top of the hills, bounding the beautiful prairie, by which
we had stopped to repair something about the engine.
We gathered some handsome lupines, of two different
species, and many other curious plants. From this eleva-
ted spot we could see the wilderness to an immense
distance; the Missouri looked as if only a brook, and our
steamer a very small one indeed. At this juncture we
saw two men running along the shore upwards, and I
supposed they had seen an Elk or something else, of
which they were in pursuit. Meantime, gazing around,
we saw a large lake, where we are told that Ducks,
Geese, and Swans breed in great numbers; this we
intend also to visit when we come down. At this moment
I heard the report of a gun from the point where the
men had been seen, and when we reached the steam-
boat, we were told that a Buffalo had been killed. From
the deck I saw a man swimming round the animal; he got
on its side, and floated down the stream with it. The
captain sent a parcel of men with a rope; the swimmer
fastened this round the neck of the Buffalo, and with his
assistance, for he now swam all the way, the poor beast
was brought alongside; and as the tackle had been previ-
ously fixed, it was hauled up on the fore deck. Sprague
took its measurements with me, which are as follows:
length from nose to root of tail, 8 feet; height of fore
shoulder to hoof, 4 ft. 94 in.; height at the rump to hoof,
4 ft. 2 in. The head was cut off, as well as one fore
and one hind foot. The head is so full of symmetry, and
so beautiful, that I shall have a drawing of it to-morrow,
22 , AUDUBON
as well as careful ones of the feet. Whilst the butchers
were at work, I was highly interested to see one of our
Indians cutting out the milk-bag of the cow and eating
it, quite fresh and raw, in pieces somewhat larger than
ahen’s egg. One of the stomachs was partially washed
in a bucket of water, and an Indian swallowed a large
portion of this. Mr. Chardon brought the remainder on
the upper deck and ate it uncleaned. I had a piece well
cleaned and tasted it; to my utter astonishment, it was
very good, but the idea was repulsive to me; besides
which, I am not a meat-eater, as you know, except when
other provisions fail. The animal was in good condition;
and the whole carcass was cut up and dispersed among
the men below, reserving the nicer portions for the cabin.
This was accomplished with great rapidity; the blood was
washed away in atrice, and half an hour afterwards no
one would have known that a Buffalo had been dressed on
deck. We now met with a somewhat disagreeable acci-
dent; in starting and backing off the boat, our yawl was
run beneath the boat; this strained it, and sprung one of
the planks so much that, when we landed on the oppo-
site side of the river, we had to haul it on shore, and turn
it over for examination; it was afterwards taken to the
forecastle to undergo repairs to-morrow, as it is often
needed. Whilst cutting wood was going on, we went
ashore. Bell shot at two Buffaloes out of eight, and
killed both; he would also have shot a Wolf, had he had
more bullets. Harris saw, and shot at, an Elk; but he
knows little about still hunting, and thereby lost a good
chance. A negro fire-tender went off with his rifle and
shot two of Townsend’s Hares. One was cut in two by
his ball, and he left it on the ground; the other was shot
near the rump, and I have it now hanging before me;
and, let me tell you, that I never before saw so beautiful
an animal of the same family. My drawing will be a
good one; it is a fine specimen, an old male. I have been
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 23
hearing much of the prevalence of scurvy, from living so
constantly on dried flesh, also about the small-pox, which
destroyed such numbers of the Indians. Among the
Mandans, Riccarées, and Gros Ventres, hundreds died in
1837, only a few surviving; and the Assiniboins were
nearly exterminated. Indeed it is said that in the various
attacks of this scourge 52,000 Indians have perished.
This last visitation of the dread disease has never before
been related by a traveller, and I will write more of it
when at Fort Union. It is now twenty minutes to mid-
night; and, with walking and excitement of one kind or
another, I am ready for bed. Alexis and another hunter
will be off in an hour on a hunt.
Fune 10, Saturday. I rose at half-past three this morn-
ing. It was clear and balmy; our men were cutting wood,
and we went off shooting. We saw a female Elk that —
was loath to leave the neighborhood; and Bell shot a
Sharp-tailed Grouse, which we ate at our supper and
found pretty good, though sadly out of season. As we
were returning to the boat, Alexis and his companion
went off after Buffaloes that we saw grazing peaceably
on the bank near the river. Whilst they were shooting
at the Buffaloes, and almost simultaneously, the fawn
of the female Elk was seen lying asleep under the bank.
It rose as we approached, and Bell shot at it, but missed;
and with its dam it went briskly off. It was quite
small, looking almost red, and was beautifully spotted
with light marks of the color of the Virginia Deer’s fawn.
I would have given five dollars for it, as I saw it skipping
over the prairie. At this moment Alexis came running,
and told the captain they had killed two Buffaloes; and
almost all the men went off at once with ropes, to bring
the poor animals on board, according to custom. One,
1 At this time the account of the Prince of Wied had not been published
in English ; that translation appeared December, 1843, two years after the
German edition.
24 AUDUBON
however, had been already dressed. The other had its
head cut off, and the men were tugging at the rope, hauling
the beast along over the grass. Mr. Chardon was seated
on it; until, when near the boat, the rope gave way, and
the bull rolled over intoa shallow ravine. It was soon on
board, however, and quickly skinned and cut up. The
two hunters had been absent three-quarters of an hour.
At the report of the guns, two Wolves made their appear-
ance, and no doubt fed at leisure on the offal left from
the first Buffalo. Harris saw a gang of Elks, consisting
of between thirty and forty. We have passed a good
number of Wild Geese with goslings; the Geese were
shot at, notwithstanding my remonstrances on account of
the young, but fortunately all escaped. We passed some
beautiful scenery when about the middle of the “ Bend,”
and almost opposite had the pleasure of seeing five Moun-
tain Rams, or Bighorns, on the summit of a hill. I
looked at them through the telescope; they stood per-
fectly still for some minutes, then went out of sight,
and then again were in view. One of them had very
large horns; the rest appeared somewhat smaller. Our
captain told us that he had seen them at, or very near
by, the same place last season, on his way up. We
saw many very curious cliffs, but not one answering the
drawings engraved for Catlin’s work. We passed Knife
River,! Riviere aux Couteaux, and stopped for a short time
to take in wood. Harris killed a Sparrow Hawk, and
saw several Red-shafted Woodpeckers. Bell was then
engaged in saving the head of the Buffalo cow, of which
I made a drawing, and Sprague an outline, notwithstand-
ing the horrible motion of our boat. We passed safely
1 This is the Little Knife, or Upper Knife River, to be carefully distin-
guished from that Knife River at the mouth of which were the Minnetaree
villages. It falls into the Missouri from the north, in Mountraille Co., 55
miles above the mouth of the Little Missouri. This is probably the stream
named Goat-pen Creek by Lewis and Clark: see Pp. 274 of the edition of
1893. — E. C.
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 25
a dangerous chain of rocks extending across the river;
we also passed White River; both the streams I have
mentioned are insignificant. The weather was warm,
and became cloudy, and it is now raining smartly. We
have, however, a good quantity of excellent wood, and
have made a good run, say sixty miles. We saw what
we supposed to be three Grizzly Bears, but could not
be sure. We saw on the prairie ahead of us some
Indians, and as we neared them, found them to be
Assiniboins. There were about ten altogether, men,
squaws, and children. The boat was stopped, and a smart-
looking, though small-statured man came on board. He
had eight plugs of tobacco given him, and was asked to
go off; but he talked a vast deal, and wanted powder and
ball. He was finally got rid of. During his visit, our
Gros Ventre chief and our Sioux were both in my own
cabin. The-first having killed three of that tribe and
scalped them, and the Sioux having a similar record, they
had no wish to meet. A few miles above this we stopped
to cut wood. Bell and Harris went on shore; and we got
a White Wolf, so old and so poor that we threw it over-
board. Meantime a fawn Elk was observed crossing the
river, coming toward our shore; it was shot at twice,
but missed; it swam to the shore, but under such a steep
bank that it could not get up. Alexis, who was told of
this, ran down the river bank, reached it, and fastened
his suspenders around its neck, but could not get it up
the bank. Bell had returned, and went to his assistance,
but all in vain; the little thing was very strong, and
floundered and struggled till it broke the tie, and swam
swiftly with the current down the river, and was lost. A
slight rope would have secured it to us. This was almost
the same spot where the captain caught one alive last sea-
son with the yawl; and we could have performed the same
1 Or White Earth River of some maps, a comparatively small stream,
eighteen and one half miles above the mouth of Little Knife River. — E. C.
26 AUDUBON
feat easily, had not the yawl been on deck undergoing
repairs. We pushed off, and very soon saw more Indians
on the shore, also Assiniboins. They had crossed the
“Bend” below us, and had brought some trifles to trade
with us; but our captain passed on, and the poor wretches
sat and looked at the “Great Medicine” in astonishment.
Shortly after this, we saw a Wolf attempting to climb a
very steep bank of clay; he fell down thrice, but at last
reached the top and disappeared at once. On the oppo-
site shore another Wolf was lying down on a sand-bar, like
a dog, and might readily have been taken for one. We
have stopped for the night at nine o’clock; and I now have
done my day’s putting-up of memoranda and sketches,
intending to enlarge upon much after I return home. I
forgot to say that last evening we saw a large herd of Buf-
faloes, with many calves among them; they were grazing
quietly on a fine bit of prairie, and we were actually op-
posite to them and within two hundred yards before they
appeared to notice us. They stared, and then started at
a handsome canter, suddenly wheeled round, stopped,
closed up their ranks, and then passed over a slight knoll,
producing a beautiful picturesque view. Another thing I
forgot to speak of is a place not far below the Little Mis-
souri, where Mr. Kipp assured us we should find the re-
mains of a petrified forest, which we hope to see later.
Fune 11, Sunday. This day has been tolerably fine,
though windy. We have seen an abundance of game, a
great number of Elks, common Virginian Deer, Moun-
tain Rams in two places, and a fine flock of Sharp-tailed
Grouse, that, when they flew off from the ground near us,
looked very much like large Meadow Larks. They
were on a prairie bordering a large patch of Artemisia,
which in the distance presents the appearance of acres of
cabbages. We have seen many Wolves and some Buffa-
loes. One young bull stood on the brink of a bluff, look-
ing at the boat steadfastly for full five minutes; and as
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 27
we neared the spot, he waved his tail, and moved off
briskly. On another occasion, a young bu]! that had just
landed at the foot of a very steep bluff was slaughtered
without difficulty; two shots were fired at it, and the poor
thing was killed by a rifle bullet. I was sorry, for we did
not stop for it, and its happy life was needlessly ended.
I saw near that spot a large Hawk, and also a very small
Tamias, or Ground Squirrel. Harris saw a Spermophile,
of what species none of us could tell. We have seen
many Elks swimming the river, and they look almost the
size of a well-grown mule. They stared at us, were fired
at, at an enormous distance, it is true, and yet stood still.
These animals are abundant beyond belief hereabouts.
We have seen much remarkably handsome scenery, but
nothing at all comparing with Catlin’s descriptions; his
book must, after all, be altogethera humbug. Poor devil!
I pity him from the bottom of my soul; had he studied,
and kept up to the old French proverb that says, “Bon
renommé vaut mieux que ceinture doré,” he might have
become an “honest man” —the quintessence of God’s
works. We did hope to have reached L’Eau Bourbeux
(the Muddy River?) this evening, but we are now fast
ashore, about six miles below it, about the same distance
that we have been told we were ever since shortly after
dinner. We have had one event: our boat caught fire,
and burned for a few moments near the stern, the effects
of the large, hot cinders coming from the chimney; but
it was almost immediately put out, thank God! Any
inattention, with about 10,000 lbs. of powder on board,
might have resulted in a sad accident. We have decided
to write a short letter of thanks to our truly gentlemanly
captain, and to present him with a handsome six-barrelled
1 Present name of the stream which flows into the Missouri from the
north, in Buford Co. This is the last considerable affluent below the
mouth of the Yellowstone, and the one which Lewis and Clark called
White Earth River, by mistake. See last note.— E. C.
28 AUDUBON
pistol, the only thing we have that may prove of service
to him, although I hope he may never need it. Sprague
drew four figures of the Buffalo’s foot; and Bell and I
have packed the whole of our skins. We ran to-day all
round the compass, touching every point. The following
is a copy of the letter to Captain Sire, signed by all of us.
Fort UNIoN, MouTH oF YELLOWSTONE,
Upper Missouri, June 11th, 1843.
Dear Sir, — We cannot part with you previous to your return
to St. Louis, without offering to you our best wishes, and our thanks
for your great courtesy, assuring you how highly we appreciate,
and feel grateful for, your uniform kindness and gentlemanly de-
portment to each and all of us. We are most happy to add that
our passage to the Yellowstone River has been devoid of any
material accident, which we can only attribute to the great regu-
larity and constant care with which you have discharged your
arduous duties in the difficult navigation of the river.
We regret that it is not in our power, at this moment, to offer
you a suitable token of our esteem, but hope you will confer on us
the favor of accepting at our hands a six-barrelled, silver-mounted
pistol, which we sincerely hope and trust you may never have
occasion to use in defence of your person. We beg you to con-
sider us,
Your well-wishers and friends, etc.,
Fort Union, Fune 12, Monday. We had a cloudy and
showery day, and a high wind besides. We saw many
Wild Geese and Ducks with their young. We took in
wood at two places, but shot nothing. I saw a Wolf giv-
ing chase, or driving away four Ravens from a sand-bar;
but the finest sight of all took place shortly before we
came to the mouth of the Yellowstone, and that was no
less than twenty-two Mountain Rams and Ewes mixed,
and amid them one young one only. We came in sight
of the fort at five o’clock, and reached it at seven. We
passed the Opposition fort three miles below this; their
flags were hoisted, and ours also. We were saluted from
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 29
Fort Union, and we fired guns in return, six in number.
The moment we had arrived, the gentlemen of the fort
came down on horseback, and appeared quite a cavalcade.
I was introduced to Mr. Culbertson and others, and, of
course, the introduction went the rounds. We walked to
the fort and drank some first-rate port wine, and returned
to the boat at half-past nine o’clock. Our captain was
pleased with the letter and the pistol. Our trip to the
this place has been the quickest on record, though our
boat is the slowest that ever undertook to reach the Yel-
lowstone. Including all stoppages and detentions, we
have made the trip in forty-eight days and seven hours
from St. Louis. We left St. Louis April 25th, at noon;
reaching Fort Union June 12th, at seven in the evening.
Fune 18, Tuesday. We had a remarkably busy day on
board and on shore, but spent much of our time writing
letters. I wrote home at great length to John Bachman,
N. Berthoud, and Gideon B. Smith. We walked to the
fort once and back again, and dined on board with our
captain and the gentlemen of the fort. We took a ride
also in an old wagon, somewhat at the risk of our necks,
for we travelled too fast for the nature of what I was
told was the road. We slept on board the “Omega,”
probably for the last time.
We have been in a complete state of excitement unload-
ing the boat, reloading her with a new cargo, and we were
all packing and arranging our effects, as well as writing
letters. After dinner our belongings were taken to the
landing of the fort in a large keel-boat, with the last of
the cargo. The room which we are to occupy during our
stay at this place is rather small and low, with only one
window, on the west side. However, we shall manage
well enough, I dare say, for the few weeks we are to be
here. This afternoon I had a good deal of conversation
with Mr. Culbertson, and found him well disposed to do
all he can for us; and no one can ask for more politeness
30 AUDUBON
than is shown us. Our captain having invited us to re-
main with him to-night, we have done so, and will break-
fast with him to-morrow morning. It is his intention to
leave as early as he can settle his business here. All
the trappers are gone to the fort, and in a few weeks will
be dispersed over different and distant parts of the wilder-
ness. The filth they had left below has been scraped and
washed off, as well indeed as the whole boat, of which
there was need enough. I have copied this journal and
send it to St. Louis by our good captain; also one box of
skins, one pair Elk horns, and one bundle of Wolf and
other skins.
Sune 14, Wednesday. At six this morning all hands
rose early; the residue of the cargo for St. Louis was
placed on board. Our captain told us time was up, and
we all started for the fort on foot, quite a short distance.
Having deposited our guns there, Bell, Squires, and I
walked off to the wooding-place, where our captain was to .
remain a good while, and it was there we should bid him
adieu. We found this walk one of the worst, the very
worst, upon which we ever trod; full of wild rose-bushes,
tangled and matted with vines, burs, and thorns of all sorts,
and encumbered by thousands of pieces of driftwood, some
decayed, some sunk in the earth, while others were en-
tangled with the innumerable roots exposed by floods and
rains. We saw nothing but afew Ravens. When nearly
half way, we heard the trampling of galloping horses, and
loud hallooings, which we found to proceed from the
wagon of which we have spoken, which, loaded with men,
passed us at a speed one would have thought impossible
over such ground. Soon after we had a heavy shower of
rain, but reached the boat in good order. Harris and
Sprague, who had followed us, came afterwards. I was
pretty hot, and rather tired. The boat took on wood for
half an hour after we arrived; then the captain shook us
all by the hand most heartily, and we bade him God speed.
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 31
I parted from him really with sorrow, for I have found
him all I could wish during the whole passage; and his
position is no sinecure, to say naught of the rabble under
his control. All the wood-cutters who remained walked
off by the road; and we went back in the wagon over a
bad piece of ground — much easier, however, than return-
ing on foot. As we reached the prairies, we travelled
faster, and passed by the late garden of the fort, which
had been abandoned on account of the thieving of the
men attached to the Opposition Company, at Fort Mor-
timer. Harris caught a handsome snake, now in spirits.
We saw Lazuli Finches and several other sorts of small
birds. Upon reaching the fort, from which many great
guns were fired as salutes to the steamer, which were
loudly returned, I was amused at the terror the firing
occasioned to the squaws and their children, who had
arrived in great numbers the previous evening; they
howled, fell down on the earth, or ran in every direc-
tion. All the dogs started off, equally frightened, and
made for the distant hills. Dinner not being ready,
three of us took a walk, and saw a good’ number of
Tamias holes, many cacti of two sorts, and some plants
hitherto uncollected by us. We sawa few Arctic Ground
Finches and two Wolves. After dinner Mr. Culbertson
told us that if a Wolf made its appearance on the
prairie near the fort, he would give it chase on horse-
back, and bring it to us, alive or dead; and he was as
good as his word. It was so handsomely executed, that
I will relate the whole affair. When I saw the Wolf
(a white one), it was about a quarter of a mile off,
alternately standing and trotting; the horses were about
one-half the distance off. A man was started to drive
these in; and I thought the coursers never would reach
the fort, much less become equipped so as to overhaul
the Wolf. We were all standing on the platform of the
fort, with our heads only above the palisades; and I
42 AUDUBON
was so fidgety that I ran down twice to tell the hunters
that the Wolf was making off. Mr. Culbertson, however,
told me he would see it did not make off; and in a few
moments he rode out of the fort, gun in hand, dressed
only in shirt and breeches. He threw his cap off within
a few yards, and suddenly went off with the swiftness of
a jockey bent on winning arace. The Wolf trotted on,
and ever and anon stopped to gaze at the rider and the
horse; till, finding out the meaning (too late, alas! for
him), he galloped off with all his might; but the horse
was too swift for the poor cur, as we saw the rider gain-
ing ground rapidly. Mr. Culbertson fired his gun off as
a signal, I was told, that the Wolf would be brought in;
and the horse, one would think, must have been of the
same opinion, for although the Wolf had now reached the
hills, and turned into a small ravine, the moment it had
entered it, the horse dashed after, the sound of the gun
came on the ear, the Wolf was picked up by Mr. Culbert-
son without dismounting, hardly slackening his pace,
and thrown across the saddle. The rider returned as
swiftly as he had gone, wet through with a smart shower
that had fallen meantime; and the poor Wolf was placed
at my disposal. The time taken from the start to the re-
turn in the yard did not exceed twenty minutes, possibly
something less. Two other men who had started at the
same time rode very swiftly also, and skirted the hills to
prevent the Wolf’s escape; and one of them brought in
Mr. C.’s gun, which he had thrown on the ground as he
picked up the Wolf to place it on the saddle. The beast
was not quite dead when it arrived, and its jaws told of
its dying agonies; it scratched one of Mr. C.’s fingers
sorely; but we are assured that such things so often occur
that nothing is thought of it.
And now a kind of sham Buffalo hunt was proposed,
accompanied by a bet of a suit of clothes, to be given to
the rider who would load and fire the greatest number of
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 33
shots in a given distance. The horses were mounted as
another Wolf was seen trotting off towards the hills, and
Mr. Culbertson again told us he would bring it in. This
time, however, he was mistaken; the Wolf was too far
off to be overtaken, and it reached the hill-tops, made its
way through a deep ravine full of large rocks, and was
then given up. Mr. Culbertson was seen coming down
without his quarry. He joined the riders, started with
his gun empty, loaded in a trice, and fired the first shot;
then the three riders came on at full speed, loading and
firing first on one side, then on the other of the horse, as
if after Buffaloes. Mr. C. fired eleven times before he
reached the fort, and within less than half a mile’s run;
the others fired once less, each. We were all delighted
to see these feats. No one was thrown off, though the
bridles hung loose, and the horses were under full gallop
all the time. Mr. Culbertson’s mare, which is of the full
Blackfoot Indian breed, is about five years old, and could
not be bought for four hundred dollars. I should like to
see some of the best English hunting gentlemen hunt in
the like manner. We are assured that after dusk, or as
soon as the gates of the fort are shut, the Wolves come
near enough to be killed from the platform, as these
beasts oftentimes come to the trough where the hogs are
fed daily. We have seen no less than eight this day from
the fort, moving as leisurely as if a hundred miles off. A
heavy shower put off running a race; but we are to have a
regular Buffalo hunt, where I must act only as a specta-
tor; for, alas! I am now too near seventy to run and load
whilst going at full gallop. Two gentlemen arrived this
evening from the Crow Indian Nation; they crossed to
our side of the river, and were introduced at once. One
is Mr. Chouteau, son of Auguste Chouteau, and the other
a Scotchman, Mr. James Murray, at whose father’s farm,
on the Tweed, we all stopped on our return from the
Highlands of Scotland. They told us that the snow and
VOL. 11.—3
34 AUDUBON
ice was yet three feet deep near the mountains, and an
abundance over the whole of the mountains themselves.
They say they have made a good collection of robes, but
that Beavers are very scarce. This day has been spent
altogether in talking, sight-seeing, and enjoyment. Our
room was small, dark, and dirty, and crammed with our
effects. Mr. Culbertson saw this, and told me that to-
morrow he would remove us to a larger, quieter, and bet-
ter one. Iwas glad to hear this, as it would have been
very difficult to draw, write, or work in; and yet it is the
very room where the Prince de Neuwied resided for two
months, with his secretary and bird-preserver. The even-
ing was cloudy and cold; we had had several showers of
rain since our bath in the bushes this morning, and I felt
somewhat fatigued. Harris and I made our beds up;
Squires fixed some Buffalo robes, of which nine had been
given us, on a long old bedstead, never knowing it had
been the couch of a foreign prince;! Bell and Sprague
settled themselves opposite to us on more Buffalo skins,
and night closed in. But although we had lain down,
it was impossible for us to sleep; for above us was a
drunken man affected with a go#tre, and not only was his
voice rough and loud, but his words were continuous.
His oaths, both in French and English, were better fitted
for the Five Points in New York, or St. Giles of London,
than anywhere among Christians. He roared, laughed
like a maniac, and damned himself and the whole crea-
tion. J thought that time would quiet him, but, no! for
now clarionets, fiddles, and a drum were heard in the din-
ing-room, where indeed they had been playing at differ-
ent times during the afternoon, and our friend above
began swearing at this as if quite fresh. We had retired
for the night; but an invitation was sent us to join the
party in the dining-room. Squires was up in a moment,
and returned to say that a ball was on foot, and that “all
1 Maximilian, Prince of Wied.
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 35
the beauty and fashion” would be skipping about in less
than no time. There was no alternative; we all got up,
and in a short time were amid the deau monde of these
parts. Several squaws, attired in their best, were present,
with all the guests, exgagés, clerks, etc. Mr. Culbertson
played the fiddle very fairly; Mr. Guépe the clarionet,
and Mr. Chouteau the drum, as if brought up in the army
of the great Napoleon. Cotillions and reels were danced
with much energy and apparent enjoyment, and the com-
pany dispersed about one o’clock. We retired for the
second time, and now occurred a dispute between the
drunkard and another man; but, notwithstanding this,
I was so wearied that I fell asleep.
Fune 15, Thursday. We all rose late, as one might
expect; the weather was quite cool for the season, and it
was cloudy besides. We did nothing else than move our
effects to an upstairs room. The Mackinaw boats arrived
at the fort about noon, and were unloaded in a precious
short time; and all hands being called forth, the empty
boats themselves were dragged to a ravine, turned over,
and prepared for calking previous to their next voyage
up or down, as the case might be. The gentlemen from
these boats gave me a fine pair of Deer’s horns; and to
Mr. Culbertson a young Gray Wolf, and also a young
Badger, which they had brought in. It snarled and
snapped, and sometimes grunted not unlike a small pig,
but did not bite. It moved somewhat slowly, and its
body looked flattish all the time; the head has all the
markings of an adult, though it is a young of the present
spring. Bell and Harris hunted a good while, but pro-
cured only a Lazuli Finch and a few other birds. Bell
skinned the Wolf, and we put its hide in the barrel
with the head of the Buffalo cow, etc. I showed the
plates of the quadrupeds to many persons, and I hope
with success, as they were pleased and promised me
much. To-morrow morning a man called Black Harris
36 AUDUBON
is to go off after Antelopes for me; and the hunters for
the men of the fort and themselves; and perhaps some
of the young men may go with one or both parties. I
heard many stories about Wolves; particularly I was in-
terested in one told by Mr. Kipp, who assured us he had
caught upwards of one hundred with baited fish-hooks.
Many other tales were told us; but I shall not forget
them, so will not write them down here, but wait till
hereafter. After shooting at a mark with a bow made of
Elk horn, Mr. Kipp presented it to me. We saw several
Wolves, but none close to the fort. Both the common
Crow and Raven are found here; Bell killed one of the
former.
Fune 16, Friday. The weather was cool this morning,
with the wind due east. I drew the young Gray Wolf,
and Sprague made an outline of it. Bell, Provost, Alexis,
and Black Harris went over the river to try to procure
Antelopes; Bell and Alexis returned to dinner without,
any game, although they had seen dozens of the animals
wanted, and also some Common Deer. The two others,
who travelled much farther, returned at dusk with empty
stomachs and a young fawn of the Common Deer. Harris
and I took a long walk after my drawing was well towards
completion, and shot a few birds. The Buffalo, old and
young, are fond of rolling on the ground in the manner of
horses, and turn quite over; this is done not only to clean
themselves, but also to rub off the loose old coat of hair
and wool that hangs about their body like so many large,
dirty rags. Those about the fort are gentle, but will not
allow a person to touch their bodies, not even the young
calves of the last spring. Our young Badger is quite fond
of lying on his back, and then sleeps. His general ap-
pearance and gait remind me of certain species of Arma-
dillo. There was a good deal of talking and jarring about
the fort; some five or six men came from the Opposition
Company, and would have been roughly handled had they
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 37
not cleared off at the beginning of trouble. Arrangements
were made for loading the Mackinaw barges, and it is in-
tended that they shall depart for St. Louis, leaving on
Sunday morning. We shall all be glad when these boats
with their men are gone, as we are now full to the brim.
Harris has a new batch of patients, and ee the work
of physician.
Fune 17, Saturday. Warm and fair, with the river ris-
ing fast. The young fawn was hung up, and I drew it.
By dinner-time Sprague had well prepared the Gray Wolf,
and I put him to work at the fawn. Bell went shooting,
and brought five or six good birds. The song of the
Lazuli Finch so much resembles that of the Indigo Bird
that it would be difficult to distinguish them by the note
alone. They keep indifferently among the low bushes
and high trees. He also brought a few specimens of
Spermophilus hoodit of Richardson,! of which the meas-
urements were taken. Wolves often retreat into holes
made by the sinking of the earth near ravines, burrow-
ing in different directions at the bottoms of these. I
sent Provost early this morning to the Opposition fort,
to inquire whether Mr. Cutting had written letters
about us, and also to see a fine Kit Fox, brought in one
of their boats from the Yellowstone. Much has been
done in the way of loading the Mackinaw boats. Bell
has skinned the young Wolf, and Sprague will perhaps
finish preparing the fawn. The hunters who went out
yesterday morning have returned, and brought back a
quantity of fresh Buffalo meat. Squires brought many
fragments of a petrified tree. No Antelopes were shot,
and I feel uneasy on this score. Provost returned and
told me Mr. Cutting’s men with the letters had not ar-
rived, but that they were expected hourly. The Kit Fox
1 This is a synonym of Spermophilus tridecem-lineatus, the Thirteen-lined,
or Federation Sphermophile, the variety that is found about Fort Union
being S. ¢. pallidus. —E. C.
38 AUDUBON
had been suffocated to death by some dozens of bundles
of Buffalo robes falling on it, while attached to a ladder,
and had been thrown out and eaten by the Wolves or the
dogs. This evening, quite late, I shot a fine large Gray
Wolf. I sincerely hope to see some Antelopes to-mor-
row, as well as other animals.
Sune 18, Sunday. This day has been a beautiful, as
well as a prosperous one tous. At daylight Provost and
Alexis went off hunting across the river. Immediately
after an early breakfast, Mr. Murray and three Mackinaw
boats started for St. Louis. After the boats were fairly
out of sight, and the six-pounders had been twice fired,
and the great flag floated in the stiff southwesterly breeze,
four other hunters went off over the river, and Squires
was one of them. I took a walk with Mr. Culbertson and
Mr. Chardon, to look at some old, decaying, and simply
constructed coffins, placed on trees about ten feet above
ground, for the purpose of finding out in what manner,
and when it would be best for us to take away the skulls,
some six or seven in number, all Assiniboin Indians. It
was decided that we would do so at dusk, or nearly at
dark. My two companions assured me that they never
had walked so far from the fort unarmed as on this occa-
sion, and said that even a simgle Indian with a gun anda
bow might have attacked us; but if several were together,
they would pay no attention to us, as that might be con-
strued to mean war. This 1s a good lesson, however, and
one I shall not forget. About ten o’clock Alexis came
to me and said that he had killed two male Antelopes,
and Provost one Deer, and that he must have a cart to
bring the whole in. This was arranged in a few minutes;
and Harris and I went across the river on a ferry flat, tak-
ing with us a cart and a most excellent mule. Alexis’
wife went across also to gather gooseberries. The cart
being made ready, we mounted it, I sitting down, and
Harris standing up. We took an old abandoned road,
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 39
filled with fallen timber and bushes innumerable; but
Alexis proved to be an excellent driver, and the mule the
most active and the strongest IJ ever saw. We jogged on
through thick and thin for about two miles, when we
reached a prairie covered with large bushes of Artemisia
(called here “ Herbe Sainte”), and presently, cutting down
a slope, came to where lay our Antelope, a young male,
and the skin of the Deer, while its carcass hung on a tree.
These were placed in the cart, and we proceeded across
the prairie for the other Antelope, which had been tied
by the horns to a large bush of Artemisia, being alive
when Alexis left it; but it was now dead and stiff. I
looked at its eyes at once. This was a fine old male with
its coat half shed. I was sorry enough it was dead. We
placed it by its relation in the cart, jumped in, and off
we went at a good round trot, not returning to the road,
but across the prairie and immediately under the clay
hills where the Antelope go after they have fed in the
prairie below from early dawn until about eight o’clock;
there are of course exceptions to the contrary. Part of
the way we travelled between ponds made by the melting
of the snows, and having on thema few Ducks and a
Black Tern, all of which no doubt breed here. After we
had passed the last pond, we saw three Antelopes several
hundred yards to the lee of us; the moment they per-
ceived us Alexis said they would be off; and so they were,
scampering towards the hills until out of sight. We now
entered the woods, and almost immediately Harris saw
the head of a Deer about fifty yards distant. Alexis, who
had only a rifle, would have shot him from the cart, had
the mule stood still; but as this was not the case, Alexis
jumped down, took a long, deliberate aim, the gun went
off, and the Deer fell dead in its tracks. It proved to be
a doe with very large milk-bags, and doubtless her fawn
or fawns were in the vicinity; but Alexis could not find
them inthe dense bush. He and Harris dragged her to the
40 AUDUBON
cart, where I stood holding the mule. We reached the
ferry, where the boat had awaited our return, placed the
cart on board without touching the game; and, on landing
at the fort, the good mule pulled it up the steep bank
into the yard. We now had two Antelopes and two Deer
that had been killed before noon. Immediately after
dinner, the head of the old male was cut off, and I went
to work outlining it; first small, with the camera, and
then by squares. Bell was engaged in skinning both the
bodies; but I felt vexed that he had carelessly suffered
the Gray Wolf to be thrown into the river. I spoke to
him on the subject of never losing a specimen till we
were quite sure it would not be needed; and I feel well
assured he is so honest a man and so good a worker that
what I said will last for all time. While looking at the
Deer shot this day, Harris and I thought that their tails
were very long, and that the animals themselves were very
much larger than those we have to the eastward; and we
all concluded to have more killed, and examine and meas-
ure closely, as this one may be an exception. It was un-
fortunate we did not speak of this an hour sooner, as two
Deer had been killed on this side the river by a hunter
belonging to the fort; but Mr. Culbertson assured me
that we should have enough of them in a few days. Jam
told that the Rocky Mountain Rams lost most of their
young during the hard frosts of the early spring; for, like
those of the common sheep, the lambs are born as early
as the 1st of March, and hence their comparative scarcity.
Harris and Bell have shot a handsome White Wolf, a
female, from the ramparts; having both fired together, it
is not known which shot was the fatal one. Bell wounded
another in the leg, as there were several marauders about;
but the rascal made off.
Fune 19, Monday. It began raining early this morn-
ing; by “early,” I mean fully two hours before daylight.
The first news I heard was from Mr. Chardon, who told
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 41
me he had left a Wolf feeding out of the pig’s trough,
which is immediately under the side of the fort. The
next was from Mr. Larpenteur,! who opens the gates when
the bell rings at sunrise, who told us he saw seven
Wolves within thirty yards, or less, of the fort. I have
told him since, with Mr. Chardon’s permission, to call
upon us before he opens these mighty portals, whenever
he espies Wolves from the gallery above, and I hope that
to-morrow morning we may shoot one or more of these
bold marauders. Sprague has been drawing all day, and
Ia good part of it; and it has been so chilly and cold
that we have had fires in several parts of the fort. Bell
and Harris have gone shooting this afternoon, and have
not yet returned. Bell cleaned the Wolf shot last night,
and the two Antelopes; old Provost boiled brine, and the
whole of them are now in pickle. There are some notions
that two kinds of Deer are found hereabouts, one quite
small, the other quite large; but of this I have no proof
at present. The weather was too bad for Alexis to go
hunting. Young Mr. McKenzie and a companion went
across the river, but returned soon afterwards, having
seen nothing but one Grizzly Bear. The water is either
at a stand, or falling a little. — Zar. Harris and Bell
have returned, and, to my delight and utter astonishment,
have brought two new birds: one a Lark,? small and
beautiful; the other like our common Golden-winged
Woodpecker, but with a red mark instead of a black one
along the lower mandible running backward.? I am quite
1 Charles Larpenteur, whose MS. autobiography I possess. — E. C.
2 This is the first intimation we have of the discovery of the Missouri
Titlark, which Audubon dedicated to Mr. Sprague under the name of
Alauda spragueit, B. of Am. vii., 1844, p. 334, pl. 486. It is now well known
as Anthus (Neocorys) spraguet. — E. C.
8 Here is the original indication of the curious Flicker of the Upper
Missouri region, which Audubon named Picus ayresii, B. of Am. vii., 1844,
p- 348, pl. 494, after W. O. Ayres. It is the Colaptes hybridus of Baird, and
the C. aurato-mexicanus of Hartlaub; in which the specific characters of the
42 AUDUBON
amazed at the differences of opinion respecting the shed-
ding — or not shedding — of the horns of the Antelope; 1
and this must be looked to with the greatest severity, for
if these animals do shed their horns, they are no longer
Antelopes. We are about having quite a ball in honor of
Mr. Chardon, who leaves shortly for the Blackfoot Fort.
Fune 20, Tuesday. It rained nearly all night; and
though the ball was given, I saw nothing of it, and heard
but little, for I went to bed and to sleep. Sprague fin-
ished the drawing of the old male Antelope, and I mine,
taking besides the measurements, etc., which I give here.
. . . Bell has skinned the head and put it in pickle.
The weather was bad, yet old Provost, Alexis, and Mr.
Bonaventure, a good hunter and a first-rate shot, went
over the river to hunt. They returned, however, without
anything, though they saw three or four Deer, and a Wolf
almost black, with very long hair, which Provost followed
for more than a mile, but uselessly, as the rascal out-
witted him after all. Harris and Bell are gone too, and
I hope they will bring some more specimens of Sprague’s
Lark and the new Golden-winged Woodpecker.
To fill the time on this dreary day, I asked Mr. Char-
don to come up to our room and give us an account of the
small-pox among the Indians, especially among the Man-
dans and Riccarees, and he related as follows: Early in
the month of July, 1837, the steamer “ Assiniboin ” arrived
at Fort Clark with many cases of small-pox on board.
Golden-winged and Red-shafted Flickers are mixed and obscured in every
conceivable degree. We presently find Audubon puzzled by the curious
birds, whose peculiarities have never been satisfactorily explained. — E. C.
1 The fact that the Antilocapra americana does shed its horns was not
satisfactorily established till several years after 1843. It was first brought
to the notice of naturalists by Dr. C. A. Canfield of California, April to,
1858, and soon afterward became generally known. (See Proc. Zodl. Soc.
Lond. 1865, p. 718, and 1866, p. 105.) Thereupon it became evident that,
as Audubon says, these animals are not true Antelopes, and the family
Antilocapride was established for their reception. On the whole subject
see article in Encycl. Amer. i., 1883, pp. 237-242, figs. 1-5. —E.C.
THE .MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 43
Mr. Chardon, having a young son on the boat, went thirty
miles to meet her, and took his son away. The pesti-
lence, however, had many victims on the steamboat, and
seemed destined to find many more among the helpless
tribes of the wilderness. An Indian stole the blanket of
one of the steamboat’s watchmen (who lay at the point of
death, if not already dead), wrapped himself in it, and
carried it off, unaware of the disease that was to cost him
his life, and that of many of his tribe — thousands, in-
deed. Mr. Chardon offered a reward immediately for the
return of the blanket, as well as a new one in its stead,
and promised that no punishment should be inflicted.
But the robber was a great chief; through shame, or some
other motive, he never came forward, and, before many
days, was a corpse. Most of the Riccarees and Mandans
were some eighty miles in the prairies, hunting Buffaloes
and saving meat for the winter. Mr. Chardon despatched
an express to acquaint them all of the awful calamity, en-
joining them to keep far off, for that death would await
them in their villages. They sent word in return, that
their corn was suffering for want of work, that they were
not afraid, and would return; the danger to them, poor
things, seemed fabulous, and doubtless they thought
other reasons existed, for which this was an excuse. Mr.
Chardon sent the man back again, and told them their
crop of corn'was nothing compared to their lives; but
Indians are Indians, and, in spite of all entreaties, they
moved en masse, to confront the awful catastrophe that
was about to follow. When they reached the villages,
they thought the whites had saved the Riccarees, and put
the plague on them alone (they were Mandans). More-
over, they thought, and said, that the whites had a pre-
ventive medicine, which the whites would not give them.
Again and again it was explained to them that this was
not the case, but all to no purpose; the small-pox had
taken such a hold upon the poor Indians, and in such
44 AUDUBON
malignant form, that they died oftentimes within the ris-
ing and setting of a day’s sun. They died by hundreds
daily; their bodies were thrown down beneath the high
bluff, and soon produced a stench beyond description.
Men shot their wives and children, and afterwards, driv-
ing several balls in their guns, would place the muzzle
in their mouths, and, touching the trigger with their feet,
blow their brains out. About this time Mr. Chardon was
informed that one of the young Mandan chiefs was bent on
shooting him, believing he had brought the pestilence
upon the Indians. One of Mr. Chardon’s clerks heard of
this plot, and begged him to remain in the store; at first
Mr. Chardon did not place any faith in the tale, but later
was compelled to do so, and followed his clerk's advice.
The young chief, a short time afterwards, fell a victim to
this fearful malady; but probably others would have taken
his life had it not been for one of those strange incidents
which come, we know not why, nor can we explain them.
A number of the chiefs came that day to confer with Mr.
Chardon, and while they were talking angrily with him,
he sitting with his arms on a table between them, a
Dove, being pursued by a Hawk, flew in through the open
door, and sat panting and worn out on Mr. Chardon’s arm
for more than a minute, when it flew off. The Indians,
who were quite numerous, clustered about him, and asked
him what the bird came to him for? After a moment’s
thought, he told them that the bird had been sent by the
white men, his friends, to see if it was true that the Man-
dans had killed him, and that it must return with the an-
swer as soon as possible; he added he had told the Dove
to say that the Mandans were his friends, and would
never kill him, but would do all they could for him.
The superstitious redmen believed this story implicitly;
thenceforth they looked on Mr. Chardon as one of the
Great Spirit’s sons, and believed he alone could help
them. Little, however, could be done; the small-pox
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 45
continued its fearful ravages, and the Indians grew fewer
and fewer day by day. For a long time the Riccarees
did not suffer; the Mandans became more and more as-
tounded at this, and became exasperated against both
whites and Indians. The disease was of the most viru-
lent type, so that within a few hours after death the
bodies were a mass of rottenness. Men killed themselves,
to die a nobler death than that brought by the dreaded
plague. One young warrior sent his wife to dig his
grave; and she went, of course, for no Indian woman
dares disobey her lord. The grave was dug, and the war.
rior, dressed in his most superb apparel, with lance and
shield in hand, walked towards it singing his own death
song, and, finding the grave finished, threw down all
his garments and arms, and leaped into it, drawing his
knife as he did so, and cutting his body almost asunder.
This done, the earth was thrown over him, the grave filled
up, and the woman returned to her lodge to live with her
children, perhaps only another day. A great chief, who
had been a constant friend to the whites, having caught
the pest, and being almost at the last extremity, dressed
himself in his fineries, mounted his war-steed, and, fevered
and in agony, rode among the villages, speaking against
the whites, urging the young warriors to charge upon
them and destroy them all. The harangue over, he went
home, and died not many hours afterward. The exposure
and exertion brought on great pains, and one of the men
from the fort went to him with something that gave him
temporary relief; before he died, he acknowledged his
error in trying to create trouble between the whites and
Indians, and it was his wish to be buried in front of the
gate of the fort, with all his trophies around and above
his body; the promise was given him that this should be
done, and he died in the belief that the white man, as he
trod on his grave, would see that he was humbled before
him, and would forgive him. Two young men, just sick-
46 AUDUBON
ening with the disease, began to talk of the dreadful death
that awaited them, and resolved not to wait for the nat-
ural close of the malady, the effects of which they had
seen among their friends and relatives. One said the
knife was the surest and swiftest weapon to carry into
effect their proposed self-destruction; the other contended
that placing an arrow in the throat and forcing it into the
lungs was preferable. After a long debate they calmly
rose, and each adopted his own method; in an instant the
knife was driven into the heart of one, the arrow into the
throat of the other, and they fell dead almost at the same
instant. Another story was of an extremely handsome
and powerful Indian who lost an only son, a beautiful boy,
upon whom all his hopes and affections were placed. The
loss proved too much for him; he called his wife, and,
after telling her what a faithful husband he had been, said
to her, “ Why should we live? all we cared for is taken
from us, and why not at once join our child in the land of
the Great Spirit?” She consented; in an instant he shot
her dead on the spot, reloaded his gun, put the muzzle in
his mouth, touched the trigger, and fell back dead. On
the same day another curious incident occurred; a young
man, covered with the eruption, and apparently on the eve
of death, managed to get to a deep puddle of mire or mud,
threw himself in it, and rolled over and over as a Buffalo
is wont todo. The sun was scorching hot, and the poor
fellow got out of the mire covered with a coating of clay
fully half an inch thick and laid himself down; the sun’s
heat soon dried the clay, so as to render it like unburnt
bricks, and as he walked or crawled along towards the
village, the mud drying and falling from him, taking the
skin with it, and leaving the flesh raw and bleeding, he
was in agony, and besought those who passed to kill him;
but, strange to say, after enduring tortures, the fever
left him, he recovered, and is still living, though badly
scarred. Many ran to the river, in the delirium of the
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 47
burning fever, plunged in the stream, and rose no more.
The whites in the fort, as well as the Riccarees, took
the disease after all. The Indians, with few exceptions,
died, and three of the whites. The latter had no food in
the way of bread, flour, sugar, or coffee, and they had to
go stealthily by night to steal small pumpkins, about the
size of a man’s fist, to subsist upon—and this amid a
large number of wild, raving, mad Indians, who swore
revenge against them all the while. This is a mere
sketch of the terrible scourge which virtually annihilated
two powerful tribes of Indians, and of the trials of the
traders attached to the Fur Companies on these wild
prairies, and I can tell you of many more equally strange.
The mortality, as taken down by Major Mitchell, was
estimated by that gentleman at 150,000 Indians, includ-
ing those from the tribes of the Riccarees, Mandans,
Sioux, and Blackfeet. The small-pox was in the very
fort from which I am now writing this account, and its
ravages here were as awful as elsewhere. Mr. Chardon
had the disease, and was left for dead; but one of his
clerks saw signs of life, and forced him to drink a quan-
tity of hot whiskey mixed with water and nutmeg; he fell
into a sound sleep, and his recovery began from that hour.
He says that with him the pains began in the small of
the back, and on the back part of his head, and were in-
tense. He concluded by assuring us all that the small-
pox had never been known in the civilized world, as it
had been among the poor Mandans and other Indians.
Only twenty-seven Mandans were left to tell the tale; they
have now augmented to ten or twelve lodges in the six
years that have nearly elapsed since the pestilence.}
1 That the account given by Audubon is not exaggerated may be seen
from the two accounts following; the first from Lewis and Clark, the
second from the Prince of Wied :—
“The ancient Maha village had once consisted of 300 cabins, but was
burnt about four years ago (1800), soon after the small-pox had destroyed
four hundred men, and a proportion of women and children. ... The
48 AUDUBON
Harris and Bell came back bringing several small birds,
among which three or four proved to be a Blackbird!
accounts we have had of the effects of the small-pox are most distressing ;
. when these warriors saw their strength wasting before a malady which
they could not resist, their frenzy was extreme; they burnt their village, and
many of them put to death their wives and children, to save them from so
cruel an affliction, and that they might go together to some better country.”
“ New Orleans, June 6, 1838. We have from the trading posts on the
western frontier of Missouri the most frightful accounts of the ravages of
small-pox among the Indians. ... The number of victims within a few
months is estimated at 30,000, and the pestilence is still spreading. ...
The small-pox was communicated to the Indians by a person who was on
board the steamboat which went last summer to the mouth of the Yellow-
stone, to convey both the government presents for the Indians, and the
goods for the barter trade of the fur-dealers. . . . The officers gave notice of
it to the Indians, and exerted themselves to the utmost to prevent any inter-
course between them and the vessel; but this was a vain attempt. ... The
disease first broke out about the 15th of June, 1837, in the village of the
Mandans, from which it spread in all directions with unexampled fury. . . .
Among the remotest tribes of the Assiniboins from fifty to one hundred
died daily. . . . The ravages of the disorder were most frightful among the
Mandans. That once powerful tribe was exterminated, with the exception
of thirty persons. Their neighbors, the Gros Ventres and the Riccarees,
were out on a hunting excursion at the time the disorder broke out, so that
it did not reach them till a month later; yet half the tribe were destroyed
by October 1. Very few of those who were attacked recovered... . Many
put an end to their lives with knives or muskets, or by precipitating them-
selves from the summit of the rock near the settlement. The prairie all
around is a vast field of death, covered with unburied corpses. The Gros
Ventres and the Riccarees, lately amounting to 4,000 souls, were reduced
to less than one half. The Assiniboins, 9,000 in number, are nearly exter-
minated. They, as well as the Crows and Blackfeet, endeavored to fly in
all directions; but the disease pursued them. ... The accounts of the
Blackfeet are awful. The inmates of above 1,000 of their tents are already
swept away. No language can picture the scene of desolation which the
country presents. The above does not complete the terrible intelligence
which we receive. . . . According to the most recent accounts, the number
of Indians who have been swept away by the small-pox, on the Western
frontier of the United States, amounts to more than 60,000.”
1 Quiscalus brewerii of Audubon, B. of Am. vii., 1844, p. 345, pl. 492, now
known as Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. It was new to our fauna when thus
dedicated by Audubon to his friend Dr. Thomas M. Brewer of Boston, but
had already been described by Wagler from Mexico as Psarocolius cyano-
cephalus. Yt is an abundant bird in the West, where it replaces its near
ally, Scolecophagus carolinus.—E. C.
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 49
nearly allied to the Rusty Grakle, but with evidently a
much shorter and straighter bill. Its measurements will
be given, of course. The weather is still lowering and
cold, and it rains at intervals. We are now out of speci-
mens of quadrupeds to draw from. Our gentlemen seem
to remember the ball of last night, and I doubt not will
go early to bed, as I shall.
Fune 21, Wednesday. Cloudy and lowering weather;
however, Provost went off over the river, before daylight,
and shot a Deer, of what kind we do not know; he re-
turned about noon, very hungry. The mud was dreadful
in the bottoms. Bell and young McKenzie went off after
breakfast, but brought nothing but a Sharp-tailed Grouse,
though McKenzie shot two Wolves. The one Harris shot
last night proved to be an old female not worth keeping;
her companions had seamed her jaws, for in this part of
the world Wolves feed upon Wolves, and no mistake.
This evening I hauled the beast under the ramparts, cut
her body open, and had a stake driven quite fast through
it, to hold it asa bait. Harris and Bell are this moment
on the lookout for the rascals. Wolves here not only eat
their own kind, but are the most mischievous animals in
the country; they eat the young Buffalo calves, the young
Antelopes, and the young of the Bighorn on all occa-
sions, besides Hares of different sorts, etc. Buffaloes
never scrape the snow with their feet, but with their
noses, notwithstanding all that has been said to the con-
trary, even by Mr. Catlin. Bell brought home the hind
parts, the head, and one forefoot of a new species of small
Hare.!
We are told these Hares are very plentiful, and yet
this is the first specimen we have seen, and sorry am I
1 This is no doubt the Lesus artemisia of Bachman, Journ. Philad. Acad.
viii, 1839, p.94, later described and figured by Aud. and Bach., Quad. N.
Am. ii., 1851, p. 272, pl. 88. It isnow generally rated as a subspecies of the
common Cottontail, Z. sy/vaticus. Compare also Z.xuttali, Aud. and Bach.
ii., 1851, p. 300, pl. 94. — E. C.
VOL. 1.—4
50 AUDUBON
that it amounts to no specimen at all. Harris and I
walked several miles, but killed nothing; we found the
nest of a Sparrow-hawk, and Harris, assisted by my shoul-
ders, reached the nest, and drew out twoeggs. Sprague
went across the hills eastward, and was fortunate enough
to shoot a superb specimen of the Arctic Bluebird. This
evening, Mr. Culbertson having told me the Rabbits,
such as Bell had brought, were plentiful on the road
to the steamboat landing, Harris, Bell, and I walked
there; but although we were very cautious, we saw
none, and only procured a Black-headed Grosbeak, which
was shot whilst singing delightfully. To-morrow morn-
ing Mr. Chardon leaves us in the keel-boat for the Black-
foot Fort, and Mr. Kipp will leave for the Crows early
next week.
Sune 22, Thursday. ‘We rose very late this morning,
with the exception of Provost, who went out shooting quite
early; but he saw nothing fit for his rifle. All was bustle
after breakfast, as Mr. Chardon’s boat was loading, the
rigging being put in order, the men moving their effects,
etc., and a number of squaws, the wives of the men, were
moving to and fro for hours before the ultimate departure
of the boat, which is called the “Bee.” The cargo being
arranged, thirty men went on board, including the com-
mander, friend Chardon, thirteen squaws, and a number
of children, all more or less half-breeds. The flag of
Fort Union was hoisted, the four-pounder run out of the
front gate, and by eleven o’clock all was ready. The
keel-boat had a brass swivel on her bows, and fired first,
then off went the larger gun, and many an Antelope and
Deer were doubtless frightened at the report that echoed
through the hills far and near. We bid adieu to our good
friend Chardon; and his numerous and willing crew, tak-
ing the cordelle to their shoulders, moved the boat against
a strong current in good style. Harris and Bell had gone
shooting and returned with several birds, among which
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 51
was a female Red-patched Woodpecker,! and a Lazuli
Finch. Dinner over, I went off with young McKenzie
after Hares; found none, but started a Grizzly Bear from
her lair. Owen McKenzie followed the Bear and I con-
tinued after Hares; he saw no more of Bruin, and I
not a Hare, and we both returned to the fort after a
tramp of three hours. As I was walking over the prairie,
I found an Indian’s skull (an Assiniboin) and put it in
my game pouch. Provost made a whistle to imitate the
noise made by the fawns at this season, which is used
to great advantage to decoy the female Deer; shortly
afterward Mr. Bonaventure returned, and a cart was sent
off at once to bring in a doe which he had killed below.
This species of Deer is much larger than the one we have
in Virginia, but perhaps no more so than those in Maine;
and as yet we cannot tell whether-it may, or may not,
prove a distinct species. We took all its measurements,
and Bell and Provost are now skinning it. Its gross
weight is 140 lbs., which I think is heavier than any doe
I have seen before. The animal is very poor and evi-
dently has fawns in the woods. The little new Lark that
I have named after Sprague has almost all the habits
of the Skylark of Europe. Whilst looking anxiously
after it, on the ground where we supposed it to be
singing, we discovered it was high over our heads, and
that sometimes it went too high for us to see it at all.
We have not yet been able to discover its nest. Bell
is of opinion that the Red-collared Ground Finch? has
its nest in the deserted holes of the Ground Squirrel,
1 This is the same hybrid Woodpecker which has been already noted on
e ae ae Chestnut-collared Longspur, Calcarius ornatus, which Mr.
Bell was mistaken in supposing to breed in holes of the Ground Squirrels,
or Spermophiles, as it nests on the open ground, like Sprague’s Lark, Mc-
Cown’s Longspur, and most other small birds of the Western plains. But
the surmise regarding the nesting of Say’s Flycatcher is correct. This is a
near relative of the common Pewit Flycatcher, S. sede, and its nesting
places are similar. — E. C.
52 AUDUBON
and we intend to investigate this. He also believes
that Say’s Flycatcher builds in rocky caverns or fissures,
as he found the nest of a bird in some such place,
after having wounded one of this species, which retired
into the fissures of the rock, which he examined in
- pursuit of the wounded bird. The nest had no eggs;
we are going to pay it a visit. Bell was busy most
of the day skinning birds, and Sprague drew a beau-
tiful plant. I found a number of wild roses in bloom,
quite sweet-scented, though single, and of a very pale
rose-color.
Sune 23, Friday. We have hada fine, warm day. The
hunters of Buffaloes started before daylight, and Squires
accompanied them; they are not expected back till some-
time to-morrow. Provost went across the river with them,
and with the assistance of his bleating whistle, brought
several does round him, and a good many Wolves. He
killed two does, drew them to a tree, and hung his coat
near them while he returned for help to bring them to the
fort. The hunters have a belief that a garment hung
near game freshly killed will keep the Wolves at bay for
atime; but there are exceptions to all rules, as when he
returned with the cart, a dozen hungry rascals of Wolves
had completely devoured one doe and all but one ham of
the other; this he brought to the fort. The does at this
season, on hearing the “bleat,” run to the spot, suppos-
ing, no doubt, that the Wolves have attacked their fawns,
and in rushing to the rescue, run towards the hunter, who
despatches them without much trouble, unless the woods
are thickly overgrown with bushes and brush, when more
difficulty is experienced in seeing them, although one may
hear them close by; but it is a cruel, deceitful, and un-
sportsmanlike method, of which I can never avail myself,
and which I try to discountenance. Bell was busy all
day with skins, and Sprague with flowers, which he de-
lineates finely. Mr. Kipp presented me with a complete
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 53
dress of a Blackfoot warrior, ornamented with many tufts
of Indian hair from scalps, and also with a saddle. After
dinner, Harris, who felt poorly all morning, was better,
and we went to pay avisit at the Opposition fort. We
started in a wagon with an old horse called Peter, which
stands fire like a stump. In going, we found we could
approach the birds with comparative ease, and we had
the good fortune to shoot three of the new Larks. I
killed two, and Harris one. When this species starts
from the ground, they fly in a succession of undula-
tions, which renders aim at them quite difficult; after
this, and in the same manner, they elevate themselves
to some considerable height, as if about to sing, and
presently pitch towards the ground, where they run pret-
tily, and at times stand still and quite erect for a few
minutes; we hope to discover their nests soon. Young
Meadow Larks, Red-shafted Woodpeckers, and the Red-
cheeked ditto,! are abundant. We reached Fort Mortimer
in due time; passed first between several sulky, half-
starved looking Indians, and came to the gate, where we
were received by the “ bourgeois,” 2 a young man by the
name of Collins, from Hopkinsville, Ky. We found the
place in a most miserable condition, and about to be car-
ried away by the falling in of the banks on account of the
great rise of water in the Yellowstone, that has actually
dammed the Missouri. The current ran directly across,
and the banks gave way at such a rate that the men had
been obliged already to tear up the front of the fort and
remove it to the rear. To-morrow they are to remove
the houses themselves, should they stand the coming
night, which appeared to me somewhat dubious. We
1 This passage shows that Audubon observed individuals of the hybrid
Woodpecker which he considered identical with Colaptes cafer, and also
others which he regarded as belonging to the supposed new species — his
C. ayresiz, —E. C,
2 The usual title or designation of the chief trader or person in charge of
any establishment of a fur company. —E. C,
54 AUDUBON
saw a large athletic man who has crossed the mountains
twice to the Pacific; he is a Philadelphian, named Wallis,
who had been a cook at Fort Union four years, but who
had ‘finally deserted, lived for a time with the Crows, and
then joined the Opposition. These persons were very
polite to us, and invited us to remain and take supper
with them; but as I knew they were short of provisions,
I would not impose myself upon them, and so, with thanks
for their hospitality, we excused ourselves and returned to
Fort Union. As we were in search of birds, we saw a
small, whitish-colored Wolf trotting across the prairie,
which hereabouts is very extensive and looks well, though
the soil is poor. We put Peter toa trot and gained on
the Wolf, which did not see us until we were about one
hundred yards off; he stopped suddenly, and then went
off atacanter. Harris gave the whip to Peter, and off
we went, evidently gaining rapidly on the beast, when it
saw an Indian in its road; taking fright, it dashed to one
side, and was soon lost in a ravine. We congratulated
ourselves, on reaching the fort, that we had such good
fortune as to be able to sup and sleep here, instead of at
Fort Mortimer. Bell had taken a walk and brought ina
few birds. The prairie is covered with cacti, and Harris
and I suffered by them; my feet were badly pricked by
the thorns, which penetrated my boots at the junction of
the soles with the upper leathers. I have to-day heard
several strange stories about Grizzly Bears, all of which
I must have corroborated before I fully accept them.
The Otters and Musk-rats of this part of the country are
smaller than in the States; the first is the worst enemy
that the Beaver has.
Fune 24, Saturday. Bell killed a small Wolf last night,
and Harris wounded another. This morning Provost started
at daylight, and Bell followed him; but they returned with-
out game. After breakfast Harris went off on horseback,
and brought in a Sharp-tailed Grouse. He saw only one
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 55
Deer, species not identified. Sprague and I went off last,
but brought in nothing new. This afternoon I thought
would be a fair opportunity to examine the manners of
Sprague’s Lark on the wing. Bell drove Peter for me,
and I killed four Larks; we then watched the flight of
several. The male rises by constant undulations to a great
height, say one hundred yards or more; and whilst singing
its sweet-sounding notes, beats its wings, poised in the air
like a Hawk, without rising at this time; after which, and
after each burst of singing, it sails in divers directions,
forming three quarters of a circle or thereabouts, then
rises again, and again sings; the intervals between the
singing are longer than those which the song occupies,
and at times the bird remains so long in the air as to ren-
der it quite fatiguing to follow it with the eye. Sprague
thought one he watched yesterday remained in the air
about one hour. Bell and Harris watched one for more
than half an hour, and this afternoon I gazed upon one,
whilst Bell timed it, for thirty-six minutes. We continued
on to Fort Mortimer to see its condition, were received as
kindly as yesterday, and saw the same persons. It was
four o’clock, and the men were all at dinner, having been
obliged to wait until this time because they had no meat
in the fort, and their hunters had returned only one hour
and a half before. We found that the river had fallen
about fourteen inches since last evening, and the men
would not remove for the present. On our way home-
ward Bell shot a fifth Lark, and when we reached the
ravine I cut out of a tree-stump the nest of an Arctic Blue-
bird, with six eggs in it, of almost the same size and color
as those of the common Bluebird. Sprague had brought a
female of his Lark, and her nest containing five eggs; the
measurements of these two species I will write out to-mor-
row. Our Buffalo hunters are not yet returned, and I
think that Squires will feel pretty well fatigued when he
reaches the fort. Mr. Culbertson presented me with a pair
t
56 AUDUBON
of stirrups, and a most splendid Blackfoot crupper for
my saddle. The day has been warm and clear. We
caught seven catfish at the river near the fort, and most
excellent eating they are, though quite small when com-
pared with the monsters of this species on the Missouri
below.
Sune 25, Sunday. This day has been warm and the
wind high, at first from the south, but this afternoon from
the north. Little or nothing has been done in the way of
procuring birds or game, except that Harris and Mr.
Denig brought in several Arkansas Flycatchers. Not a
word from the hunters, and therefore they must have gone
far before they met Buffaloes. A few more catfish have
been caught, and they are truly excellent.
Fune 26, Monday. The hunters returned this afternoon
about three o’clock; 2. ¢., Squires and McKenzie; but the
carts did not reach the fort till after I had gone to bed.
They have killed three Antelopes, three bull Buffaloes, and
one Townsend’s Hare, but the last was lost through care-
lessness, and I am sorry for it. The men had eaten one of
the Antelopes, and the two others are fine males; Bell
skinned one, and saved the head and the fore-legs of the
other. One of them had the tips of the horns as much
crooked inwardly (backwards) as the horns of the Euro-
pean Chamois usually are. This afternoon early Provost
brought in a Deer of the large kind, and this also was
skinned. After this Harris and Bell went off and brought
in several Lazuli Finches, and a black Prairie Lark Finch
of the species brought from the Columbia by Townsend
and Nuttall. We caught several catfish and a very
curious sturgeon, of which Sprague took an outline with
the camera, and I here give the measurements. .. . It
had run on the shore, and was caught by one of the men.
I made a bargain this morning with the hunter Bona-
venture Le Brun to procure me ten Bighorns, at $10.00
apiece, or the same price for any number he may get.
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 57
Mr. Culbertson lent him old Peter, the horse, and I wrote
a petit billet to Mr. John Collins, to ask him to have them
ferried across the river, as our boat was away on a wood-
cutting expedition. As Le Brun did not return, of course
he was taken across, and may, perhaps, come back this
evening, or early to-morrow morning, with something
worth having. At this moment Bell has shot a Wolf
from the ramparts, and sadly crippled another, but it
made off somehow.
Fune 27, Tuesday. This morning was quite cool, and
the wind from the north. After breakfast Bell and Owen
McKenzie went off on horseback on this side of the river,
to see how far off the Buffaloes are, and they may probably
bring home some game. Sprague and I have been draw-
ing all day yesterday and most of to-day. Provost has
been making whistles to call the Deer; later he, Harris,
and I, walked to the hills to procure the black root plant
which is said to be the best antidote for the bite of the
rattlesnake. We found the root and dug one up, but the
plant is not yet in bloom. The leaves are long and nar-
row, and the flowers are said to resemble the dwarf sun-
flower. Harris shot two of what he calls the Small Shore
Lark, male and female; but beyond the size being a little
smaller than ‘those found at Labrador, I cannot discover
any specific difference. From the top of the hills we saw
a grand panorama of a most extensive wilderness, with
Fort Union beneath us and far away, as well as the Yellow-
stone River, and the lake across the river. The hills across
the Missouri appeared quite low, and we could see the high
prairie beyond, forming the background. Bell and McKen-
zie returned, having shot a Wolf in a curious manner. On
reaching the top of a hill they found themselves close to
the Wolf. Bell’s horse ran quite past it, but young McKen-
zie shot and broke one fore-leg, and it fell. Bell then gave
his horse to McKenzie, jumped off, ran to the Wolf, and
took hold of it by the tail, pulling it towards the horses;
58 AUDUBON
but it got up and ran rapidly. Bell fired two shots in
its back with a pistol without stopping it, then he ran as
fast as he could, shot it in the side, and it fell. Bell says its
tail was longer than usual, but it was not measured, and
the Wolf was left on the prairie, as they had no means of
bringing it in. They saw an Antelope, some Magpies, and
a Swift Fox, but no Buffaloes, though they were fifteen
miles from the fort. They ran a Long-tailed Deer, and
describe its movements precisely as do Lewis and Clark.
Between every three or four short leaps came the long leap
of fully twenty-five feet, if not more. The Kit or Swift Fox
which they saw stood by a bunch of wormwood, and whilst
Icoking at the hunters, was seen to brush off the flies with
his paws.
I am now going to take this book to Lewis Squires and
ask him to write in it his account of the Buffalo hunt.
(The following is in Mr. Squires’ handwriting :)
“By Mr. Audubon’s desire I will relate the adventures
that befell me in my first Buffalo hunt, and I am in hopes
that among the rubbish a trifle, at least, may be obtained
which may be of use or interest to him. On the morning
of Friday, the 23d, before daylight, I was up, and in a
short time young McKenzie made his appearance. A
few minutes sufficed to saddle our horses, and be in readi-
ness for our contemplated hunt. We were accompanied
by Mr. Bonaventure the younger, one of the hunters of the
fort, and two carts to bring in whatever kind of meat
might be procured. We were ferried across the river in
a flatboat, and thence took our departure for the Buffalo
country. We passed through a wooded bottom for about
one mile, and then over a level prairie for about one mile
and a half, when we commenced the ascent of the bluffs
that bound the western side of the Missouri valley; our
1 “The black-tailed deer never runs at full speed, but bounds with
every foot from the ground at the same time, like the mule-deer.” (“ Lewis
and Clark,” ed. 1893.)
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 59
course then lay over an undulating prairie, quite rough,
and steep hills with small ravines between, and over dry
beds of streams that are made by the spring and fall
freshets. Occasionally we were favored with a level prairie
never exceeding two miles in extent. When the carts over-
took us, we exchanged our horses for them, and sat on
Buffalo robes on the bottom, our horses following on
behind us. As we neared the place where the Buffaloes had
been killed on the previous hunt, Bonaventure rode alone
to the top of a hill to discover, if possible, their where-
abouts; but to our disappointment nothing living was to
be seen. We continued on our way watching closely,
ahead, right and left. Three o’clock came and as yet
nothing had been killed; as none of us had eaten anything
since the night before, our appetites admonished us that it
was time to pay attention to them. McKenzie and Bona-
venture began to look about for Antelopes; but before
any were ‘comeatable,’ I fell asleep, and was awakened
by the report of a gun. Before we, in the carts, arrived at
the spot from whence this report proceeded, the hunters
had killed, skinned, and nearly cleaned the game, which
was a fine male Antelope. I regretted exceedingly I was
not awake when it was killed, as I might have saved the
skin for Mr. Audubon, as well as the head, but I was too
late. It was now about five o’clock, and one may well
imagine I was somewhat hungry. Owen McKenzie com-
menced eating the raw liver, and offered me a piece.
What others can eat, I felt assured I could at least taste.
I accordingly took it and ate quite a piece of it; to my
utter astonishment, I found it not only palatable but very
good; this experience goes far to convince me that our
prejudices make things appear more disgusting than fact
proves them to be. Our Antelope cut up and in the cart,
we proceeded on our ‘winding way,’ and scarcely had we
left the spot where the entrails of the animal remained,
before the Wolves and Ravens commenced coming from all
60 AUDUBON
quarters, and from places where a minute before there was
not asign of one. We had not proceeded three hundred
yards at the utmost, before eight Wolves were about the
spot, and others approaching. On our way, both going
and returning, we saw a cactus of a conical shape, having
a light straw-colored, double flower, differing materially
from the flower of the flat cactus, which is quite com-
mon; had I had any means of bringing one in, I would
most gladly have done so, but I could not depend on
the carts, and as they are rather unpleasant companions,
I preferred awaiting another opportunity, which I hope
may come in a few days. We shot a young of Town-
send’s Hare, about seven or eight steps from us, with
about a dozen shot; I took good care of it until I left
the cart on my return to the fort, but when the carts ar-
rived it had carelessly been lost. This I regretted very
much, as Mr. Audubon wanted it. It was nearly sun-
set when Bonaventure discovered a Buffalo bull, so we
concluded to encamp for the night, and run the Buffaloes
in the morning. We accordingly selected a spot near a
pond of water, which in spring and fall is quite a large
lake, and near which there was abundance of good pasture ;
our horses were soon unsaddled and hoppled, a good fire
blazing, and some of the Antelope meat roasting on sticks
before it. As soon as a bit was done, we commenced
operations, and it was soon gone ‘the way of all flesh.’
I never before ate meat without salt or pepper, and until
then never fully appreciated these two /wzxruries, as they
now seemed, nor can any one, until deprived of them, and
seated on a prairie as we were, or in some similar situation.
On the opposite side of the lake we saw a Grizzly Bear,
but he was unapproachable. After smoking our pipes we
rolled ourselves in our robes, with our saddles for pillows,
and were soon lost in a sound, sweet sleep. During the
night I was awakened by a crunching sound ; the fire had
died down, and I sat up and looking about perceived a
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 6I
Wolf quietly feeding on the remains of our supper. One
of the men awoke at the same time and fired at the Wolf,
but without effect, and the fellow fled ; we neither saw nor
heard more of him during the night. By daylight we were
all up, and as our horses had not wandered far, it was the
work of a few minutes to catch and saddle them. We rode
three or four miles before we discovered anything, but at
last saw a group of three Buffaloes some miles from us.
We pushed on, and soon neared them; before arriving at
their feeding-ground, we saw, scattered about, immense
quantities of pumice-stone, in detached pieces of all sizes;
several of the hills appeared to be composed wholly of it.
As we approached within two hundred yards of the Buf-
faloes they started, and away went the hunters after them.
My first intention of being merely a looker-on continued
up to this moment, but it was impossible to resist follow-
ing; almost unconsciously I commenced urging my horse
after them, and was soon rushing up hills and through
ravines; but my horse gave out, and disappointment and
anger followed, as McKenzie and Bonaventure succeeded
in killing two, and wounding a third, which escaped. As
soon as they had finished them, they commenced skin-
ning and cutting up one, which was soon in the cart, the
offal and useless meat being left on the ground. Again
the Wolves made their appearance as we were leaving;
they seemed shy, but Owen McKenzie succeeded in killing
one, which was old and useless. The other Buffalo was
soon skinned and in the cart. In the meantime McKenzie
and I started on horseback for water. The man who had
charge of the keg had let it all run out, and most fortu-
nately none of us had wanted water until now. We rode
to a pond, the water of which was very salt and warm, but
we had to drink this or none; we did so, filled our flasks
for the rest of the party, and a few minutes afterward
rejoined them. We started again for more meat to com-
plete our load. I observed, as we approached the Buf-
62 AUDUBON
faloes, that they stood gazing at us with their heads erect,
lashing their sides with their tails; as soon as they dis-
covered what we were at, with the quickness of thought
they wheeled, and with the most surprising speed, for an
animal apparently so clumsy and awkward, flew before us.
I could hardly imagine that these enormous animals could
move so quickly, or realize that their speed was as great
as it proved to be; and I doubt if in this country one
horse in ten can be found that will keep up with them.
We rode five or six miles before we discovered any more.
At last we saw a single bull, and while approaching him
we started two others; slowly we wended our way towards
them until within a hundred yards, when away they went.
I had now begun to enter into the spirit of the chase, and
off I started, full speed, down a rough hill in swift pursuit;
at the bottom of the hill was a ditch about eight feet wide ;
the horse cleared this safely. I continued, leading the
others by some distance, and rapidly approaching the
Buffaloes. At this prospect of success my feelings can
better be imagined than described. I kept the lead of the
others till within thirty or forty yards of the Buffaloes,
when I began making preparations to fire as soon as I was
sufficiently near; imagine, if possible, my disappointment
when I discovered that now, when all my hopes of success
were raised to the highest pitch, I was fated to meet a
reverse as mortifying as success would have been gratify-
ing. My horse failed, and slackened his pace, despite
every effort of mine to urge him on; the other hunters
rushed by me at full speed, and my horse stopped alto-
gether. I saw the others fire ; the animal swerved a little,
but still kept on. After breathing my horse a while, I
succeeded in starting him up again, followed after them,
and came up in time to fire one shot ere the animal was
brought down. I think that I never saw an eye so fero-
cious in expression as that of the wounded Buffalo; rolling
wildly in its socket, inflamed as the eye was, it had the
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 63
most frightful appearance that can be imagined; and in
fact, the picture presented by the Buffalo as a whole is
quite beyond my powers of description. The fierce eyes,
blood streaming from his sides, mouth, and nostrils, he was
the wildest, most unearthly-looking thing it ever fell to my
lot to gaze upon. His sufferings were short; he was soon
cut up and placed in the cart, and we retraced our steps
homeward. Whilst proceeding towards our camping-
ground for the night, two Antelopes were killed, and placed
on our carts. Whenever we approached these animals
they were very curious to see what we were ; they would
run, first to the right, and then to the left, then suddenly
run straight towards us until within gun-shot, or nearly
so. The horse attracted their attention more than the
rider, and if a slight elevation or bush was between us, they
were easily killed. As soon as their curiosity was gratified
they would turn and run, but it was not difficult to shoot
before this occurred. When they turned they would fly
over the prairie for about a mile, when they would again
stop and look at us. During the day we suffered very
much for want of water, and drank anything that had the
appearance of it, and most of the water, in fact all of it,
was either impregnated with salt, sulphur, or magnesia —
most disgusting stuff at any other time, but drinkable now.
The worst of all was some rain-water that we were obliged
to drink, first placing our handkerchiefs over the cup to
strain it, and keep the worms out of our mouths. I drank
it, and right glad was I to get even this. We rode about
five miles to where we encamped for the night, near a little
pond of water. In a few minutes we had a good fire of
Buffalo dung to drive away mosquitoes that were in clouds
about us. The water had taken away our appetites com-
pletely, and we went to bed without eating any supper.
Our horses and beds were arranged as on the previous
evening. McKenzie and I intended starting for the fort
early in the morning. We saw a great many Magpies, Cur-
64 AUDUBON
lews, Plovers, Doves, and numbers of Antelopes. About
daylight I awoke and roused McKenzie; a man had gone
for the horses, but after a search of two hours returned
without finding them; all the party now went off except
one man and myself, and all returned without success
except Bonaventure, who found an old horse that had been
lost since April last. He was despatched on this to the
fort to get other horses, as we had concluded that ours
were either lost or stolen. As soon as he had gone, one
of the men started again in search of the runaways, and in
a short time returned with them. McKenzie and I soon
rode off. We saw two Grizzly Bears at the lake again.
Our homeward road we made much shorter by cutting off
several turns; we overtook Bonaventure about four miles
from our encampment, and passed him. We rode forty
miles to the fort in a trifle over six hours. We had trav-
elled in all about one hundred and twenty miles. Bona-
venture arrived two hours after we did, and the carts came
in the evening.”
Wednesday, Fune 28, This is an account of Squires’ Buf-
falo hunt, his first one, which he has kindly written in my
journal and which I hope some day to publish. This
morning was very cloudy, and we had some rain, but from
ten o’clock until this moment the weather has been beau-
tiful. Harris shot a handsome though rather small Wolf;
I have made a large drawing, and Sprague a fine dimin-
ished one, of the rascal. The first news we had this morn-
ing was that the ferry flat had been stolen last night,
probably by the deserters from the fort who have had the
wish to return to St. Louis. Some person outside of the
fort threw a large stone at an Indian woman, and her hus-
band fired in the dark, but no one could be found on
searching. There is much trouble and discomfort to the
managers of such an establishment as this. Provost went
shooting, but saw nothing. Young McKenzie and another
man were sent to find the scow, but in vain. On their re-
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 65
turn they said a hunter from Fort Mortimer had brought
a Bighorn, and skinned it, and that he would let me have
it if I wished. I sent Bell and Squires, and they brought
the skin in. It proves to be that of an old female in the
act of shedding her winter coat, and I found that she was
covered with abundance of downy wool like the Antelopes
under similar circumstances. Mr. Larpenteur caught five
small catfish, which we ate at breakfast. After dinner Le
Brun returned home, but brought only the skin of a young
female of the White-tailed Deer, and I was surprised to see
that it had the germ of a horn about one inch long; the
skin was quite red, and it is saved. A young Elk was
brought in good condition, as the hunters here know how
to save skins properly; it was too young, however, to take
measurements. The horns were in velvet about six inches
long. When one sees the powerful bones and muscles of
this young animal, one cannot fail to think of the great
strength of the creature when mature, and its ability to
bear with ease the enormous antlers with which its head is
surmounted. ‘The flesh of the Antelope is not comparable
with that of the Deer, being dry and usually tough. It
is very rarely indeed that a fat Antelope is killed. Bell
has been very busy in skinning small birds and animals.
We procured a young Red-shafted Woodpecker, killed by
an Indian boy with a bow and arrow. Mr. Kipp’s “ Mack-
inaw ” was launched this evening, and sent across the river
with men to relieve the charcoal-burners; she returned
immediately and we expect that Mr. Kipp’s crew will go
off to-morrow about twelve. I was told a curious anecdote
connected with a Grizzly Bear, that I will write down; it
is as follows: One of the engagés of the Company was
forced to run away, having killed an Indian woman, and
made his way to the Crow Fort, three hundred miles
up the Yellowstone River. When he arrived there he
was in sad plight, having his own squaw and one or two
children along, who had all suffered greatly with hunger,
VOL, 11.—5
66 AUDUBON
thirst, and exposure. They were received at the fort, but
in a short time, less than a week afterwards, he again ran
off with his family, and on foot. The discovery was soon
made, and two men were sent after him; but he eluded
their vigilance by keeping close in ravines, etc. The men
returned, and two others with an Indian were despatched
on a second search, and after much travel saw the man
and his family on an island, where he had taken refuge
from his pursuers. The Buffalo-hide canoe in which he
had attempted to cross the river was upset, and it was with
difficulty that he saved his wife and children. They were
now unable to escape, and when talking as to the best way
to secure their return to the fort, the soldiers saw him
walk to the body of a dead Buffalo lying on the shore of
the island, with the evident intention of procuring some of
it for food. As he stooped to cut off a portion, to his
utter horror he saw a small Grizzly Bear crawl out from
the carcass. It attacked him fiercely, and so suddenly
that he was unable to defend himself; the Bear lacerated
his face, arms, and the upper part of his body in a fright-
ful manner, and would have killed him, had not the In-
dian raised his gun and fired at the Bear, wounding him
severely, while a second shot killed him. The engagé
was too much hurt to make further effort to escape, and
one of the Company’s boats passing soon after, he and his
family were taken back to the fort, where he was kept to
await his trial.
Fune 29, Thursday. Vt rained hard during the night,
but at dawn Provost went shooting and returned to
dinner, having shot a doe, which was skinned and the
meat saved. He saw a Grouse within a few feet of
him, but did not shoot, as he had only a rifle. Bell and
I took a long walk, and shot several birds. We both
were surprised to find a flock of Cliff Swallows endeavor-
ing to build nests beneath the ledges of a clay bank.
Watching the moment when several had alighted against
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 67
the bank, I fired, and killed three. Previous to this, as I
was walking along a ravine, a White Wolf ran past within
fifteen or twenty paces of me, but I had only very small
shot, and did not care to wound where I could not kill.
The fellow went off at a limping gallop, and Bell after it,
squatting whenever the Wolf stopped to look at him; but
at last the rascal lost himself in a deep ravine, and a few
minutes after we saw him emerge from the shrubs some
distance off, and go across the prairie towards the river.
Bell saw two others afterwards, and if ever there was a
country where Wolves are surpassingly abundant, it is the
one we now are in. Wolves are in the habit of often lying
down on the prairies, where they form quite a bed, work-
ing at bones the while. We found a nest of the Prairie
Lark, with four eggs. We saw Arctic Bluebirds, Say’s
Flycatcher and Lazuli Finches. Say’s Flycatcher has a
note almost like the common Pewee. They fly over
the prairies like Hawks, looking for grasshoppers, upon
which they pounce, and if they lose sight of them, they
try again at another place. We returned home to dinner,
and after this a discussion arose connected with the
Red-shafted Woodpecker. We detérmined to go and
procure one of the young, and finding that these have
pale-yellow shafts, instead of deep orange-red, such as the
old birds have, the matter was tested and settled according
to my statement. Harris and I went off after the doe
killed this morning, and killed another, but as I have now
skins enough, the measurements only were taken, and the
head cut off, which I intend drawing to-morrow. Harris
shot also a Grouse, and a Woodpecker that will prove a
Canadensis ; he killed the male also, but could not find it,
and we found seven young Red-shafted Woodpeckers in
one nest. I killed a female Meadow Lark, the first seen in
this country by us. Provost told me (and he is a respect-
able man) that, during the breeding season of the Moun-
tain Ram, the battering of the horns is often heard as far
68 AUDUBON
as a mile away, and that at such times they are approached
with comparative ease; and there is no doubt that it is
during such encounters that the horns are broken and
twisted as I have seen them, and not by leaping from high
places and falling on their horns, as poetical travellers
have asserted. The fact is that when these animals leap
from any height they alight firmly on all their four feet.
At this season the young are always very difficult to catch,
and I have not yet seen one of them. Harris, Bell, and
young McKenzie are going Bighorn hunting to-morrow,
and I hope they will be successful; I, alas! am no longer
young and alert enough for the expedition. We find the
mosquitoes very troublesome, and very numerous.
Fune 80, Friday. The weather was dark, with the wind
at the northwest, and looked so like rain that the hunters
did not start as they had proposed. Sprague, Harris, and
Bell went out, however, after small game. I began draw-
ing at five this morning, and worked almost without cessa-
tion till after three, when, becoming fatigued for want of
practice, I took a short walk, regretting I could no longer
draw twelve or fourteen hours without a pause or thought
of weariness. It is now raining quite hard. Mr. Larpen-
teur went after a large tree to make a ferry-boat, and the
new skiff was begun this morning. I sent Provost to Fort
Mortimer to see if any one had arrived from below; he
found a man had done so last evening and brought letters
to Mr. Collins, requesting him to do all he can for us.
He also reported that a party of Sioux had had a battle
with the Gros Ventres, and had killed three of the latter
and a white man who lived with them as a blacksmith.
The Gros Ventres, on the other hand, had killed eight of
the Sioux and put them to flight. The blacksmith killed
two Sioux, and the enemies cut off one leg and one arm,
scalped him, and left the mangled body behind them. It
is said there is now no person living who can recollect the
manner in which the bitter enmity of these two nations
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 69
originated. The Yellowstone River is again rising fast,
and Mr. Kipp will have tough times before he reaches
Fort Alexander, which was built by Mr. Alexander Cul-
bertson, our present host, and the Company had it hon-
ored by his name. When a herd of Buffaloes is chased,
although the bulls themselves run very swiftly off, their
speed is not to be compared to that of the cows and year-
lings; for these latter are seen in a few minutes to leave
the bulls behind them, and as cows and young Buffaloes
are preferable to the old males, when the hunters are well
mounted they pursue the cows and young ones invariably.
Last winter Buffaloes were extremely abundant close to
this fort, so much so that while the people were engaged
in bringing hay in carts, the Buffaloes during the night
came close in, and picked up every wisp that was dropped.
An attempt to secure them alive was made by strewing
hay in such a manner as to render the bait more and more
plentiful near the old fort, which is distant about two
hundred yards, and which was once the property of Mr.
Sublette and Co.; but as the hogs and common cattle
belonging to the fort are put up there regularly at sunset,
the Buffaloes ate the hay to the very gates, but would not
enter the enclosure, probably on account of the different
smells issuing therefrom. At this period large herds slept
in front of the fort, but just before dawn would remove
across the hills about one mile distant, and return towards
night. An attempt was made to shoot them with a can-
non — a four-pounder; three were killed and several
wounded. Still the Buffaloes came to their sleeping
ground at evening, and many were killed during the
season. I saw the head of one Mr. Culbertson shot,
and the animal must have been of unusual size.
Fuly 1, Saturday. It was still raining when I got up,
but a few minutes later the sun was shining through one
of our windows, and the wind being at northwest we an-
ticipated a fine day. The ground was extremely wet and
70 AUDUBON
muddy, but Harris and Bell went off on horseback, and
returned a few minutes after noon. They brought some
birds and had killed a rascally Wolf. Bell found the nest
of the Arkansas Flycatcher. The nest and eggs, as well
as the manners, of this bird resemble in many ways those
of our King-bird. The nest was in an elm, twenty or
twenty-five feet above the ground, and he saw another in
a similar situation. Mr. Culbertson and I walked to the
Pilot Knob with a spy-glass, to look at the present condi-
tion of Fort Mortimer. This afternoon Squires, Provost,
and I walked there, and were kindly received as usual.
We found all the people encamped two hundred yards
from the river, as they had been obliged to move from
the tumbling fort during the rain of last night. Whilst
we were there a trapper came in with a horse and told us
the following: This man and four others left that fort on
the 1st of April last on an expedition after Beavers. They
were captured by a party of about four hundred Sioux,
who took them prisoners and kept him one day and a
half, after which he was released, but his companions were
kept prisoners. He crossed the river and found a horse
belonging to the Indians, stole it, and reached the fort at
last. He looked miserable indeed, almost without a rag
of clothing, long hair, filthy beyond description, and hav-
ing only one very keen, bright eye, which looked as if
he was both proud and brave. He had subsisted for
the last eleven days on pomme blanche and the thick
leaves of the cactus, which he roasted to get rid of the
thorns or spines, and thus had fared most miserably; for,
previous to the capture of himself and his companions,,
he had upset his bull canoe and lost his rifle, which to
a trapper is, next to life, his dependence. When he was
asked if he would have some dinner, he said that he
had forgotten the word, but would try the taste of meat
again. Mr. Collins was very polite to me, and promised
me a hunter for the whole of next week, expressly to
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 71
shoot Bighorns. I hope this promise may be better
kept than that of Mr. Chardon, who told me that should
he have one killed within forty miles he would send Alexis
back with it at once. We heard some had been killed,
but this may not be true; at any rate, men are men all
over the world, and a broken promise is not unheard-of.
This evening Mr. Culbertson presented me with a splendid
dress, as well as one to Harris and one to Bell, and prom-
ised one to Sprague, which I have no doubt he will have.
Harris and Sprague went off to procure Woodpeckers’
nests, and brought the most curious set of five birds that
TI ever saw, and which I think will puzzle all the naturalists
in the world. The first was found near the nest, of which
Sprague shot the female, a light-colored Red-shafted Wood-
pecker. It proved to be of the same color, but had the
rudiments of black stripes on the cheeks. Next, Sprague
shot an adult yellow-winged male, with the markings prin-
cipally such as are found in the Eastern States. Harris
then shot a young Red-shafted, just fledged, with a black
stripe on the cheek. His next shot was a light-colored
Red-shafted male, with black cheeks, and another still, a
yellow Red-shafted with a red cheek.1 After all this Mr.
Culbertson proposed to run a sham Buffalo hunt again.
He, Harris, and Squires started on good horses, went
about a mile, and returned full tilt, firing and cracking.
Squires fired four times and missed once. Harris did not
shoot at all; but Mr. Culbertson fired eleven times, start-
ing at the onset with an empty gun, snapped three times,
and reached the fort with his gun loaded. A more won-
derful rider I never saw.
Fuly 2, Sunday, The weather was cool and pleasant
this morning, with no mosquitoes, which indeed — plenti-
ful and troublesome as they are— Provost tells me are
1 The above is a very good example of the way these Woodpeckers vary
in color, presenting a case which, as Audubon justly observes, is a “ puzzle
to all the naturalists in the world.” See note, p. 14.—E, C,
72 AUDUBON
more scarce this season than he ever knew them thus far
up the Missouri. Sprague finished his drawing of the
doe’s head about dinner-time, and it looks well. After
dinner he went after the puzzling Woodpeckers, and
brought three, all different from each other. Mr. Cul-
bertson, his squaw wife, and I rode to Fort Mortimer,
accompanied by young McKenzie, and found Mr. Collins
quite ill. We saw the hunters of that fort, and they
promised to supply me with Bighorns, at ten dollars
apiece in the flesh, and also some Black-tailed Deer, and
perhaps a Grizzly Bear. This evening they came to the
fort for old Peter and a mule, to bring in their game;
and may success attend them! When we returned, Harris
started off with Mr. Culbertson and his wife to see the
condition of Mr. Collins, to whom he administered some
remedies. Harris had an accident that was near being of
a serious nature; as he was getting into the wagon, think-
ing that a man had hold of the reins, which was not the
case, his foot was caught between the axle-tree and the
wagon, he was thrown down on his arm and side, and hurt
to some extent; fortunately he escaped without serious
injury, and does not complain much this evening, as he
has gone on the ramparts to shoot a Wolf. Sprague saw
a Wolf in a hole a few yards from the fort, but said not
a word of it till after dinner, when Bell and Harris went
there and shot it through the head. It was a poor, mis-
erable, crippled old beast, that could not get out of the
hole, which is not more than three or four feet deep.
After breakfast we had a hunt after Hares or Rabbits,
and Harris saw two of them, but was so near he did not
care to shoot at them. Whilst Harris and Mr. Culbert-
son went off to see Mr. Collins, Mr. Denig and I walked
off with a bag and instruments, to take off the head of a
three-years-dead Indian chief, called the White Cow.
Mr. Denig got upon my shoulders and into the branches
near the coffin, which stood about ten feet above ground.
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 73
The coffin was lowered, or rather tumbled, down, and the
cover was soon hammered off; to my surprise, the feet
were placed on the pillow, instead of the head, which lay
at the foot of the coffin— if a long box may so be called.
Worms innumerable were all about it; the feet were
naked, shrunk, and dried up. The head had stil] the hair
on, but was twisted off in a moment, under jaw and all.
The body had been first wrapped up in a Buffalo skin
without hair, and then in another robe with the hair on,
as usual; after this the dead man had been enveloped in
an American flag, and over this a superb scarlet blanket.
We left all on the ground but the head. Squires, Mr.
Denig and young Owen McKenzie went afterwards to try
to replace the coffin and contents in the tree, but in vain;
the whole affair fell to the ground, and there it lies; but
J intend to-morrow to have it covered with earth. The
history of this man is short, and I had it from Mr. Lar-
penteur, who was in the fort at the time of his decease,
or self-committed death. He was a good friend to the
whites, and knew how to procure many Buffalo robes for
them; he was also a famous orator, and never failed to
harangue his people on all occasions. He was, however,
consumptive, and finding himself about to die, he sent
his squaw for water, took an arrow from his quiver, and
thursting it into his heart, expired, and was found dead
when his squaw returned to the lodge. He was “buried”
in the above-mentioned tree by the orders of Mr. McKen-
zie, who then commanded this fort. Mr. Culbertson drove
me so fast, and Harris so much faster, over this rough
ground, that I feel quite stiff. I must not forget to say
that we had another sham Buffalo chase over the prairie
in front of the fort, the riders being Squires, young
McKenzie, and Mr. Culbertson; and I was glad and proud
to see that Squires, though so inexperienced a hunter,
managed to shoot five shots within the mile, McKenzie
eleven, and Mr. Culbertson eight. MHarris killed an old
74 AUDUBON
Wolf, which he thought was larger and fatter than any
killed previously. It was very large, but on examina-
tion it was found to be poor and without teeth in the
upper jaw.
Fuly 3, Monday. We have had a warm night and day;
after breakfast we all six crossed the river in the newly
built skiff, and went off in divers directions. Provost
and I looked thoroughly through the brushwood, and
walked fully six miles from the fort; we saw three Deer,
but so far were they that it was useless to shoot. Deer-
shooting on the prairies is all hazard; sometimes the ani-
mals come tripping along within ten yards of you, and at
other times not nearer can you get than one hundred and
fifty yards, which was the case this day. The others
killed nothing of note, and crossed the river back to the
fort two hours at least before us; and we shot and bawled
out for nearly an hour, before the skiff was sent for us.
I took a swim, found the water very pleasant, and was
refreshed by my bath. The Bighorn hunters returned
this afternoon with a Bighorn, a female, and also a
female Black-tailed Deer. I paid them $15 for the two,
and they are to start again to-morrow evening, or the
next day.
Fuly 4, Tuesday. Although we had some fireworks
going on last evening, after I had laid myself down for the
night, the anniversary of the Independence of the United
States has been almost the quietest I have ever spent,
as far as my recollection goes. I was drawing the whole
day, and Sprague was engaged in the same manner, paint-
ing a likeness of Mr. Culbertson. Harris and Bell went
off to try and procure a buck of the Long White-tailed
Deer, and returned after dinner much fatigued and hungry
enough. Bell had shot at a Deer and wounded it very
severely; the poor thing ran on, but soon lay down, for
the blood and froth were gushing out of its mouth. Bell
saw the buck lying down, and not being an experienced
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 75
hunter, thought it was dead, and instead of shooting it
again, went back to call Harris; when they returned, the
Deer was gone, and although they saw it again and again,
the Deer outwitted them, and, as I have said, they re-
turned weary, with no Deer. After dinner I spoke to Mr.
Culbertson on the subject, and he told me that the Deer
could probably be found, but that most likely the Wolves
would devour it. He prepared to send young McKenzie
with both my friends; the horses were soon saddled, and
the three were off at a gallop. The poor buck’s carcass
was found, but several Wolves and Turkey Buzzards had
fared well upon it; the vertebrze only were left, with a
few bits of skin and portions of the horns in velvet.
These trophies were all that they brought home. It was
a superb and very large animal, and I am very sorry for
the loss of it, as I am anxious to draw the head of one of
such a size as they represent this to have been. They
ran after a Wolf, which gave them leg bail. Meanwhile
Squires and Provost started with the skiff in a cart to go
up the river two miles, cross, and camp on the opposite
shore. The weather became very gloomy and chill. In
talking with Mr. Culbertson he told me that no wise man
would ever follow a Buffalo bull immediately in his track,
even in a hunt, and that no one well initiated would ever
run after Buffaloes between the herd and another hunter,
as the latter bears on the former ever and anon, and places
him in imminent danger. Buffalo cows rarely, if ever,
turn on the assailant, but bulls oftentimes will, and are
so dangerous that many a fine hunter has been gored and
killed, as well as his horse.
Fuly 5, Wednesday. It rained the whole of last night
and the weather has been bad all day. I am at the Big-
horn’s head, and Sprague at Mr. Culbertson. Provost
and Squires returned drenched and hungry, before dinner.
They had seen several Deer, and fresh tracks of a large
Grizzly Bear. They had waded through mud and water
76 AUDUBON
enough for one day, and were well fatigued. Harris and
Bell both shot at Wolves from the ramparts, and as these
things are of such common occurrence I will say no more
about them, unless we are in want of one of these beasts.
Harris and I went over to see Mr. Collins, who is much
better; his hunters had not returned. We found the men
there mostly engaged in playing cards and backgammon.
The large patches of rose bushes are now in full bloom,
and they are so full of sweet fragrance that the air is per-
fumed by them. The weather looks clear towards the
north, and I expect a fine to-morrow. Old Provost has
been telling me much of interest about the Beavers, once
so plentiful, but now very scarce. It takes about seventy
Beaver skins to make a pack of a hundred pounds; ina
good market this pack is worth five hundred dollars, and
in fortunate seasons a trapper sometimes made the large
sum of four thousand dollars. Formerly, when Beavers
were abundant, companies were sent with as many- as
thirty and forty men, each with from eight to a dozen
traps, and two horses. When at a propitious spot, they
erected a camp, and every man sought his own game; the
skins alone were brought to the camp, where a certain
number of men always remained to stretch and dry them.
Fuly 6, Thursday. The weather has been pleasant, with
the wind at northwest, and the prairies will dry a good
deal. After breakfast Harris, Bell, and McKenzie went
off on horseback. They saw a Red Fox of the country,!
which is different from those of the States; they chased
it, and though it ran slowly at first, the moment it saw
the hunters at full gallop, it ran swiftly from them.
McKenzie shot with a rifle and missed it. They saw
fresh tracks of the small Hare, but not any of the animals
themselves. After dinner I worked at Mr. Culbertson’s
1 Vulpes utah of Aud. and Bach., Quad. N. Am. iii., 1853, p. 285, pl. 151,
or V. macrourus of Baird, as already noted. This is the Western variety of
the common Red Fox, now usually called Vulpes fulvus macrourus. —E. C.
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 77
head and dress, and by evening had the portrait nearly
finished. At four o’clock Harris, Bell, and Sprague went
across the river in the skiff; Sprague to take a view of
the fort, the others to hunt. Harris and Bell shot twice
at a buck, and killed it, though only one buckshot entered
the thigh. Whilst we were sitting at the back gate of
the fort, we saw a parcel of Indians coming towards the
place, yelling and singing what Mr. Culbertson told me
was the song of the scalp dance; we saw through the
telescope that they were fourteen in number, with their
faces painted black, and that it was a detachment of a war
party. When within a hundred yards they all stopped, as
if awaiting an invitation; we did not hurry as to this,
and they seated themselves on the ground and looked at
us, while Mr. Culbertson sent Mr. Denig to ask them to
come in by the front gate of the fort, and put them in the
Indian house, a sort of camp for the fellows. They all
looked miserably poor, filthy beyond description, and
their black faces and foully smelling Buffalo robes made
them appear to me like so many devils. The leader, who
was well known to be a famous rascal, and was painted
red, was a tall, well-formed man. The party had only
three poor guns, and a few had coarse, common lances;
every man had a knife, and the leader was armed with a
stick in which were inserted three blades of butcher’s-
knives; a blow from this weapon would doubtless kill a
man. Some of the squaws of the fort, having found that
they were Assiniboins, went to meet them; they took one
of these, and painted her face black, as a sign of friend-
ship. Most of these mighty warriors had a lump of fresh
Buffalo meat slung on his back, which was all traded for
by Mr. Larpenteur, who gave them in exchange some dried
meat, not worth the notice of Harris’s dog, and some
tobacco. The report of their expedition is as follows:
Their party at first consisted of nearly fifty; they trav-
elled several hundred miles in search of Blackfeet, and
78 AUDUBON
having discovered a small troop of them, they hid till the
next morning, when at daylight (this is always the time
they prefer for an attack) they rushed upon the enemy,
surprised them, killed one at the onset, and the rest took
to flight, leaving guns, horses, shields, lances, etc., on
the ground. The Assiniboins took several guns and
seven horses, and the scalp of the dead Indian. It hap-
pened that the man they killed had some time ago killed
the father of their chief, and he was full of joy. After
eating and resting awhile, they followed the trail of the
Blackfeet, hoping to again surprise them; but not seeing
them, they separated into small parties, and it is one of
these parties that is now with us. The chief, to show his
pride and delight at killing his enemy, has borrowed a
‘drum; and the company have nearly ever since been yell-
ing, singing, and beating that beastly tambour. Boucher-
ville came to me, and told me that if the swamp over the
river was sufficiently dried by to-morrow morning, he
would come early with a companion for two horses, and
would go after Bighorns. He returned this afternoon
from a Buffalo hunt and had killed six. These six ani-
mals, all bulls, will suffice for Fort Mortimer only three
days. A rascally Indian had stolen his gun and Big-
horn bow; the gun he said he could easily replace, but
the loss of the bow he regretted exceedingly.
Fuly 7, Friday. This morning the dirty Indians, who
could have washed had they so minded, were beating the
tambour and singing their miserable scalp song, until
Mr. Culbertson ordered the drum taken away, and gave
them more tobacco and some vermilion to bedaub their
faces. They were permitted to remain about the fort the
remainder of the day, and the night coming they will
again be sheltered; but they must depart to-morrow
morning. After breakfast Sprague worked on the view
of the fort. I went on with the portrait of Mr. Culbert-
son, who is about as bad a sitter as his wife, whose
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 79
portrait is very successful, notwithstanding her extreme
restlessness. After dinner Harris, Bell, and I started on
‘foot, and walked about four miles from the fort; the day
was hot, and horseflies and mosquitoes pretty abundant,
but we trudged on, though we saw nothing; we had gone
after Rabbits, the tracks of which had been seen previ-
ously. We walked immediately near the foot of the clay
hills which run from about a mile from and above the fort
to the Lord knows where. We first passed one ravine
where we saw some very curious sandstone formations,
coming straight out horizontally from the clay banks
between which we were passing; others lay loose and de-
tached; they had fallen down, or had been washed out
some time or other. All were compressed in such a
manner that the usual form was an oval somewhat de-
pressed in the centre; but, to give you some idea of these
formations, I will send you a rough sketch. Those in the
banks extended from five to seven feet, and the largest
one on the ground measured a little less than ten feet.
Bell thought they would make good sharpening-stones,
but I considered them too soft. They were all smooth,
and the grain was alike in all. We passed two much
depressed and very broken ravines, and at last reached
the Rabbit ground. Whilst looking at the wild scenery
around, and the clay hills on the other side of the Mis-
souri opposite the fort, I thought that’if all these were
granite, the formation and general appearance would re-
semble the country of Labrador, though the grandeur and
sublimity of the latter far surpass anything that I have
seen since I left them forever. I must not forget to say
that on our way we passed through some grasses with
bearded shafts, so sharp that they penetrated our mocca-
sins and entered our feet and ankles, and in the shade of
a stumpy ash-tree we took off our moccasins and drew the
spines out. The Lazuli Finches and Arctic Bluebirds
sang in our view; but though we beat all the clumps of
80 AUDUBON
low bushes where the Rabbits must go in, whether dur-
ing night or day, we did not start one. We saw a Wolf
which ran close by, reached the brow of the hill, and kept
where he could watch our every motion; this they do on
all possible occasions. We were all very warm, so we
rested awhile, and ate some service-berries, which I found
good; the gooseberries were small and green, and almost
choked Harris with their sharp acidity. On our return,
as we were descending the first deep ravine, a Raven flew
off close by; it was so near Bell that he had no time to
shoot. I followed it and although loaded with No. 6
shot, I drew my trigger and the bird fell dead; only one
shot had touched it, but that had passed through the
lungs. After we reached the prairie I shot a Meadow
Lark, but lost it, as we had unfortunately not taken Bragg
(Harris’s dog). We saw a patch of wood called in these
regions a “ Point;” we walked towards it for the purpose
of shooting Deer. I was sent to the lower end, Bell took
one side, and Harris the other, and the hound we had with
us was sent in; no Deer there, however, and we made for
the fort, which we reached hot and thirsty enough after
our long walk. As soon as I was cooled I took a good
swim. I think the Indians hereabouts poor swimmers;
they beat the water with their arms, attempting to “nage
a la brasse;” but, alas! it is too bad to mention. Iam
told, however, that there are no good specimens to judge
from at the fort, so this is not much of an opinion. It is
strange how very scarce snakes of every description are,
as well as insects, except mosquitoes and _horseflies.
Young McKenzie had been sent to seek for the lost ferry-
boat, but returned without success; the new one is ex-
pected to be put in the water to-morrow evening. Squires
and Provost had the skiff carried overland three miles,
and they crossed the river in it with the intention to
remain hunting until Sunday night.
Fuly 8, Saturday. Mr. Culbertson told me this morn-
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS Sr
ing that last spring early, during a snow-storm, he and
Mr. Larpenteur were out in an Indian lodge close by the
fort, when they heard the mares which had young. colts
making much noise; and that on going out they saw a
single Wolf that had thrown down one of the colts, and
was about doing the same with another. They both made
towards the spot with their pistols; and, fearing that the
Wolf might kill both the colts, fired before reaching the
spot, when too far off to take aim. Master Wolf ran off,
but both colts bear evidence of his teeth to this day.
When I came down this morning early, I was delighted
to see the dirty and rascally Indians walking off to their
lodge on the other side of the hills, and before many
days they will be at their camp enjoying their merriment
(rough and senseless as it seems to me), yelling out their
scalp song, and dancing. Now this dance, to commemo-
rate the death of an enemy, is a mere bending and slack-
ening of the body, and patting of the ground with both
feet at once, in very tolerable time with their music.
Our squaws yesterday joined them in this exemplary cere-
mony; one was blackened, and all the others painted with
vermilion. The art of painting in any color is to mix
the color desired with grease of one sort or another; and
when well done, it will stick on for a day or two, if not
longer. Indians are not equal to the whites in the art of
dyeing Porcupine quills; their ingredients are altogether
too simple and natural to equal the knowledge of chemi-
cals. Mr. Denig dyed a good quantity to-day for Mrs.
Culbertson; he boiled water in a tin kettle with the quills
put in when the water boiled, to remove the oil attached
naturally to them; next they were thoroughly washed, and
fresh water boiled, wherein he placed the color wanted,
and boiled the whole for a few minutes, when he looked
at them to judge of the color, and so continued until all
were dyed. Red, yellow, green, and black quills were
the result of his labors. A good deal of vegetable acid is
VOL. 11. —6
82 AUDUBON
necessary for this purpose, as minerals, so they say here,
will not answer. I drew at Mr. Culbertson’s portrait till
he was tired enough; his wife —a pure Indian — is much
interested in my work. Bell and Sprague, after some
long talk with Harris about geological matters, of which
valuable science he knows a good deal, went off to seek a
Wolf’s hole that Sprague had seen some days before, but
of which, with his usual reticence, he had not spoken.
Sprague returned with a specimen of rattle-snake root,
which he has already drawn. Bell saw a Wolf munching
a bone, approached it and shot at it. The Wolf had been
wounded before and ran off slowly, and Bell after it.
Mr. Culbertson and I saw the race; Bell gained on the
Wolf until within thirty steps when he fired again; the
Wolf ran some distance further, and then fell; but Bell
was now exhausted by the heat, which was intense, and
left the animal where it lay without attempting to skin
it. Squires and Provost returned this afternoon about
three o’clock, but the first alone had killed a doe. It
was the first. one he had ever shot, and he placed seven
buckshot in her body. Owen went off one way, and
Harris and Bell another, but brought in nothing. Prov-
ost went off to the Opposition camp, and when he re-
‘turned told me that a Porcupine was there, and would be
kept until I saw it; so Harris drove me over, at the usual
breakneck pace, and I bought the animal. Mr. Collins is
yet poorly, their hunters have not returned, and they are
destitute of everything, not having even a medicine chest.
We told him to send a man bac!: with us, which he did,
and we sent him some medicine, rice, and two bottles of
claret. The weather has been much cooler and pleasanter
than yesterday.
Fuly 9, Sunday. 1 drew at a Wolf’s head, and Sprague
worked at a view of the fort for Mr. Culbertson. I also
worked on Mr. Culbertson’s portrait about an hour. I
then worked at the Porcupine, which is an animal such as
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 83
I never saw or Bell either. Its measurements are: from
nose to anterior canthus of the eye, 13 in., posterior ditto,
24; conch of ear, 34; distances from eyes posteriorly, 2};
fore feet stretched beyond nose, 34; length of head around,
44; nose to root of tail, 18}; length of tail vertebra, 62;
to end of hair, 73; hind claws when stretched equal to
end of tail; greatest breadth of palm, 14; of sole, 12;
outward width of tail at base, 3§; depth of ditto, 34;
length of palm, 14; ditto of sole, 14; height at shoulder,
I1; at rump, 10}; longest hair on the back, 8%; breadth
between ears, 2}; from nostril to split of upper lip, $;
upper incisors, §; lower ditto, 2; tongue quite smooth;
weight 11 lbs. The habits of this animal are somewhat
different from those of the Canadian Porcupine. The one
of this country often goes in crevices or holes, and young
McKenzie caught one in a Wolf’s den, along with the old
Wolf and seven young; they climb trees, however.
Provost tells me that Wolves are oftentimes destroyed
-by wild horses, which he has seen run at the Wolves head
down, and when at a proper distance take them by the
middle of the back with their teeth, and throw them sev-
eral feet in the air, after which they stamp upon their
bodies with the fore feet until quite dead. I havea bad
blister on the heel of my right foot, and cannot walk
without considerable pain.
Fuly 10, Monday. Squires, Owen, McKenzie, and Pro-
vost, with a mule, a cart, and Peter the horse, went off at
seven this morning for Antelopes. Bell did not feel well
enough to go with them, and was unable to eat his usual
meal, but I made him some good gruel, and he is better
now. This afternoon Harris went off on horseback after
Rabbits, and he will, I hope, have success. The day has
been fine, and cool compared with others. I took a walk,
and made a drawing of the beautiful sugar-loaf cactus; it
does not open its blossoms until after the middle of the
day, and closes immediately on being placed in the shade.
84 AUDUBON
Fuly 11, Tuesday. WUarris returned about ten o’clock last
night, but saw no Hares; how we are to procure any is more
than I can tell. Mr. Culbertson says that it was danger-
ous for Harris to go so far as he did alone up the country,
and he must not try it again. The hunters returned this
afternoon, but brought only one buck, which is, however,
beautiful, and the horns in velvet so remarkable that I can
hardly wait for daylight to begin drawing it. I have taken
all the measurements of this perfect animal; it was shot by
old Provost. Mr. Culbertson— whose portrait is nearly
finished — his wife, and I took a ride to look at some grass
for hay, and found it beautiful and plentiful. We saw two
Wolves, a common one and a prairie one. Bell is better.
Sprague has drawn another cactus; Provost and I have
now skinned the buck, and it hangs in the ice-house; the
head, however, is untouched.
Fuly 12, Wednesday. I rose before three, and began
at once to draw the buck’s head. Bell assisted me to place
it in the position I wanted, and as he felt somewhat better,
while I drew, he finished the skin of the Porcupine; so that
is saved. Sprague continued his painting of the fort. Just
after dinner a Wolf was seen leisurely walking within one
hundred yards of the fort. Bell took the repeating rifle,
went on the ramparts, fired, and missed it. Mr. Culbert-
son sent word to young Owen McKenzie to get a horse and
give it chase. All was ready in a few minutes, and’ off
went the young fellow after the beast. I left my drawing
long enough to see the pursuit, and was surprised to see
that the Wolf did not start off on a gallop till his pursuer
was within one hundred yards or so of him, and who then
gained rapidly. Suddenly the old sinner turned, and the
horse went past him some little distance. As soon as he
could be turned about McKenzie closed upon him, his gun
flashed twice; but now he was almost @ bon touchant, the
gun went off—the Wolf was dead. I walked out to meet
Owen with the beast; it was very poor, very old, and good
AUDUBON.
From the pencil sketch by Isaac Sprague, 1842. In the possession of the Sprague family,
Wellesley Hills, Mass.
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 85
for nothing as aspecimen. Harris, who had shot at one
last night in the late twilight, had killed it, but was not
aware of it till I found the villain this morning. It had
evidently been dragged at by its brothers, who, however,
had not tornit. Provost went over to the other fort to find
out where the Buffaloes are most abundant, and did not
return till late, so did no hunting. A young dog of this
country’s breed ate up all the berries collected by Mrs. Cul-
bertson, and her lord had it killed for our supper this even-
ing. The poor thing was stuck with a knife in the throat,
after which it was placed over a hot fire outside of the fort,
singed, and the hair scraped off, as I myself have treated
Raccoons and Opossums. Then the animal was boiled,
and I intend to taste one mouthful of it, for I cannot say
that just now I should relish an entiré meal from such
peculiar fare. There are men, however, who much prefer
the flesh to Buffalo meat, or even venison. An ox was
broken to work this day, and worked far better than I.
expected. I finished at last Mr. Culbertson’s portrait, and
it now hangs inaframe. He and his wife are much pleased
with it, and I am heartily glad they are, for in conscience I
am not; however, it is all I could do, especially with a man
who is never in the same position for one whole minute; so
no more can be expected. The dog was duly cooked and
brought into Mr. Culbertson’s room; he served it out to
Squires, Mr. Denig, and myself, and I was astonished when
I tasted it. With great care and some repugnance I put a
very small piece in my mouth; but no sooner had the taste
touched my palate than I changed my dislike to liking, and
found this victim of the canine order most excellent, and
made a good meal, finding it fully equal to any meat I ever
tasted. Old Provost had told me he preferred it to any
meat, and his subsequent actions proved the truth of his
words. We are having some music this evening, and Har-
ris alone is absent, being at his favorite evening occupa-
tion, namely, shooting at Wolves from the ramparts.
86 AUDUBON
Fuly 13, Thursday. This has been a cloudy and a sultry
day. Sprague finished his drawing and I mine. After
dinner Mr. Culbertson, Squires, and myself went off nine
miles over the prairies to look at the ‘‘ meadows,” as they
are called, where Mr. Culbertson has heretofore cut his
winter crop of hay, but we found it indifferent compared
with that above the fort. We saw Sharp-tailed Grouse, and
what we thought a new species of Lark, which we shot at no
less than ten times before it was killed by Mr. Culbertson, but
not found. I caught one of its young, but it proved to be
only the Shore Lark. Before we reached the meadows we
saw a flock of fifteen or twenty Bob-o-link, Eméberiza ori-
gtvora, and on our return shot one of them (a male) on
the wing. It is the first seen since we left St. Louis.
We reached the meadows at last, and tied our nag to a
tree, with the privilege of feeding. Mr. Culbertson and
Squires went in the ‘“‘ meadows,” and I walked round the
so-called patch. I shot seven Arkansas Flycatchers on
the wing. After an hour’s walking, my companions re-
turned, but had seen nothing except the fresh tracks of a
Grizzly Bear. I shot at one of the White-rumped Hawks,
of which I have several times spoken, but although it
dropped its quarry and flew very wildly afterwards, it went
out of my sight. We found the beds of Elks and their
fresh dung, but saw none of these animals. I have forgot-
ten to say that immediately after breakfast this morning I
drove with Squires to Fort Mortimer, and asked Mr. Col-
lins to let me have his hunter, Boucherville, to go after
Mountain Rams for me, which he promised to do. In the
afternoon he sent a man over to ask for some flour, which
Mr. Culbertson sent him. They are there in the utmost
state of destitution, almost of starvation, awaiting the ar-
rival of the hunters like so many famished Wolves. Harris
and Bell went across the river and shot a Wolf under the
river bank, and afterwards a Duck, but saw nothing else.
But during their absence we have had a fine opportunity of
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 87
witnessing the agility and extreme strength of a year-old
Buffalo bull belonging to the fort. Our cook, who is an
old Spaniard, threw his lasso over the Buffalo's horns, and
all the men in the fort at the time, hauled and pulled the
beast about, trying to get him close to a post. He kicked,
pulled, leaped sideways, and up and down, snorting and
pawing until he broke loose, and ran, as if quite wild, about
the enclosure. He was tied again and again, without any
success, and at last got out of the fort, but was soon re-
taken, the rope being thrown round his horns, and he was
brought to the main post of the Buffalo-robe press. There
he was brought to a standstill, at the risk of breaking his
neck, and the last remnant of his winter coat was removed
by main strength, which was the object for which the poor
animal had undergone all this trouble. After Harris
returned to the fort he saw six Sharp-tailed Grouse. At
this season this species have no particular spot where you
may rely upon finding them, and at times they fly through
the woods, and for a great distance, too, where they alight
on trees; when, unless you accidentally see them, you pass
by without their moving. After we passed Fort Mortimer
on our return we saw coming from the banks of the river
no less than eighteen Wolves, which altogether did not
cover a space of more than three or four yards, they
were so crowded. Among them were two Prairie Wolves.
Had we had a good running horse some could have been
shot; but old Peter is long past his running days. The
Wolves had evidently been feeding on some carcass along
the banks, and all moved very slowly. Mr. Culbertson
gave me a grand pair of leather breeches and a very
handsome knife-case, all manufactured by the Blackfeet
Indians.
Fuly 14, Friday. Thermometer 70°-95°. Young
McKenzie went off after Antelopes across the river alone,
but saw only one, which he could not get near. After
breakfast Harris, Squires, and I started after birds of all
88 AUDUBON
sorts, with the wagon, and proceeded about six miles on
the road we had travelled yesterday. We met the hunter
from Fort Mortimer going for Bighorns for me, and Mr.
Culbertson lent him a horse and a mule. We caught two
young of the Shore Lark, killed seven of Sprague’s Lark,
but by bad management lost two, either from the wagon,
my hat, or Harris’s pockets. The weather was exceed-
ingly hot. We hunted for Grouse in the wormwood
bushes, and after despairing of finding any, we started up
three from the plain, and they flew not many yards to the
river. We got out of the wagon and pushed for them;
one rose, and Harris shot it, though it flew some yards
before he picked it up. He started another, and just as
he was about to fire, his gunlock caught on his coat, and
off went Mr. Grouse, over and through the woods until out
of sight, and we returned slowly home. We saw ten
Wolves this morning. After dinner we had a curious sight.
Squires put on my Indian dress. McKenzie put on one of
Mr. Culbertson’s, Mrs. Culbertson put on her own superb
dress, and the cook’s wife put on the one Mrs. Culbertson
had given me. Squires and Owen were painted in an
awful manner by Mrs. Culbertson, the Zaates had their
hair loose, and flying in the breeze, and then all mounted
on horses with Indian saddles and trappings. Mrs. Cul-
bertson and her maid rode astride like men, and all rode
a furious race, under whip the whole way, for more than
one mile on the prairie; and how amazed would have been
any European lady, or some of our modern belles who
boast their equestrian skill, at seeing the magnificent riding
of this Indian princess — for that is Mrs. Culbertson’s rank
—and her servant. Mr. Culbertson rode with them, the
horses running as if wild, with these extraordinary Indian
riders, Mrs. Culbertson’s magnificent black hair floating like
a banner behind her. As to the men (for two others had
joined Squires and McKenzie), I cannot compare them to
anything in the whole creation. They ran like wild crea-
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 89
tures of unearthly compound. Hither and thither they
dashed, and when the whole party had crossed the ravine
below, they saw a fine Wolf and gave the whip to their
horses, and though the Wolf cut to right and left Owen
shot at him with an arrow and missed, but Mr. Culbertson
gave it chase, overtook it, his gun flashed, and the Wolf
lay dead. They then ascended the hills and away they
went, with our princess and her faithful attendant in the
van, and by and by the group returned to the camp, run-
ning full speed till they entered the fort, and all this in
the intense heat of this July afternoon. Mrs, Culbertson,
herself a wonderful rider, possessed of both strength and
grace in a marked degree, assured me that Squires was
equal to any man in the country as a rider, and I saw for
myself that he managed his horse as well as any of the
party, and I was pleased to see him in his dress, orna-
ments, etc., looking, however, I must confess, after Mrs.
Culbertson’s painting his face, like a being from the
infernal regions, Mr. Culbertson presented Harris with a
superb dress of the Blackfoot Indians, and also with a
Buffalo bull’s head, for which Harris had in turn presented
him with a gun-barrel of the short kind, and well fitted to
shoot Buffaloes. Harris shot a very young one of Town-
send’s Hare, Mr. Denig gave Bella Mouse, which, although
it resembles A/us leucopus greatly, is much larger, and has
a short, thick, round tail, somewhat blunted.
Fuly 15, Saturday. We were all up pretty early, for
we propose going up the Yellowstone with a wagon,
and the skiff on a cart, should we wish to cross. After
breakfast all of us except Sprague, who did not wish to go,
were ready, and along with two extra men, the wagon, and
the cart, we crossed the Missouri at the fort, and at nine
were fairly under way — Harris, Bell, Mr. Culbertson, and
myself in the wagon, Squires, Provost, and Owen on horse-
back. We travelled rather slowly, until we had crossed
the point, and headed the ponds on the prairie that run at
90 AUDUBON
the foot of the hills opposite. We saw one Grouse, but it
could not be started, though Harris searched for it. We
ran the wagon into a rut, but got out unhurt; however, I
decided to walk for a while, and did so for about two
miles, to the turning point of the hills. The wheels of our
vehicle were very shackling, and had to be somewhat
repaired, and though I expected they would fall to pieces, in
some manner or other we proceeded on. We saw several
Antelopes, some on the prairie which we now travelled on,
and many more on the tops of the hills, bounding west-
ward. We stopped to water the horses at a saline spring,
where I saw that Buffaloes, Antelopes, and other animals
come to allay their thirst, and repose on the grassy margin.
The water was too hot for us to drink, and we awaited the
arrival of the cart, when we all took a good drink of the
river water we had brought with us. After waiting for
nearly an hour to allow the horses to bait and cool them-
selves, for it was very warm, we proceeded on, until we
came to another watering-place, a river, in fact, which
during spring overflows its banks, but now has only pools
of water here and there. We soaked our wheels again,
and again drank ourselves. Squires, Provost, and Owen
had left sometime before us, but were not out of our sight,
when we started, and as we had been, and were yet, travel-
ling a good track, we soon caught up with them. We shot
a common Red-winged Starling, and heard the notes
of what was supposed to be a new bird by my com-
panions, but which to my ears was nothing more than the
Short-billed Marsh Wren of Nuttall. We reached our
camping-place, say perhaps twenty miles’ distance, by four
o'clock, and all things were unloaded, the horses put to
grass, and two or three of the party went in “the point”
above, to shoot something for supper. JI was hungry my-
self,and taking the Red-wing and the fishing-line, I went to
the river close by, and had the good fortune to catch four fine
catfish, when, my bait giving out, I was obliged to desist,
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 9gI
as I found that these catfish will not take parts of their
own kind as food. Provost had taken a bath, and rowed
the skiff (which we had brought this whole distance on the
cart, dragged by a mule) along with two men, across the
river to seek for game on the point opposite our encamp-
ment. They returned, however, without having shot any-
thing, and my four catfish were all the fresh provisions that
we had, and ten of us partook of them with biscuit, coffee,
and claret. Dusk coming on, the tent was pitched, and
preparations to rest made. Some chose one spot and
some another, and after a while we were settled. Mr.
Culbertson and I lay together on the outside of the tent,
and all the party were more or less drowsy. About this
time we saw a large black cloud rising in the west; it
was heavy and lowering, and about ten o’clock, when
most of us were pretty nearly sound asleep, the distant
thunder was heard, the wind rose to a gale, and the rain
began falling in torrents. All were on foot in a few
moments, and considerable confusion ensued. Our guns,
all loaded with balls, were hurriedly placed under the tent,
our beds also, and we all crawled in, in the space of a very
few minutes. The wind blew so hard that Harris was
obliged to hold the flappers of the tent with both hands,
and sat in the water a considerable time to do this. Old
Provost alone did not come in, he sat under the shelving
bank of the river, and kept dry. After the gale was over,
he calmly lay down in front of the tent on the saturated
ground, and was soon asleep. During the gale, our fire,
which we had built to keep off the myriads of mosquitoes,
blew in every direction, and we had to watch the embers
to keep them from burning the tent. After all was over,
we snugged ourselves the best way we could in our small
tent and under the wagon, and slept soundly till daylight.
Mr. Culbertson had fixed himself pretty well, but on aris-
ing at daylight to smoke his pipe, Squires immediately
crept into his comfortable corner, and snored there till the
92 AUDUBON
day was well begun. Mr. Culbertson had my knees for a
pillow, and also my hat, I believe, for in the morning,
although the first were not hurt, the latter was sadly out of
shape in all parts. We had nothing for our breakfast
except some vile coffee, and about three quarters of a sea-
biscuit, which was soon settled among us. The men, poor
fellows, had nothing at all. Provost had seen two Deer,
but had had no shot, so of course we were in a quandary,
but it is now —
Fuly 16, Sunday. The weather pleasant with a fine
breeze from the westward, and all eyes were bent upon
the hills and prairie, which is here of great breadth, to spy
if possible some object that might be killed and eaten.
Presently a Wolf was seen, and Owen went after it, and it
was not until he had disappeared below the first low range
of hills, and Owen also, that the latter came within shot of
the rascal, which dodged in all sorts of manners; but Owen
would not give up, and after shooting more than once, he
killed the beast. A man had followed him to help bring
in the Wolf, and when near the river he saw a Buffalo,
about two miles off, grazing peaceably, as he perhaps
thought, safe in his own dominions; but, alas! white
hunters had fixed their eyes upon him, and from that
moment his doom was pronounced. Mr. Culbertson
threw down his hat, bound his head with a handkerchief,
his saddle was on his mare, he was mounted and off and
away at a swift gallop, more quickly than I can describe,
not towards the Buffalo, but towards the place where
Owen had killed the Wolf. The man brought the Wolf
on old Peter, and Owen, who was returning to the camp,
heard the signal gun fired by Mr. Culbertson, and at once
altered his course; his mare was evidently a little heated
and blown by the Wolf chase, but both hunters went after
the Buffalo, slowly at first, to rest Owen’s steed, but soon,
when getting within running distance, they gave whip,
overhauled the Bison, and shot at it twice with balls; this
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 93
halted the animal; the hunters had no more balls, and
now loaded with pebbles, with which the poor beast was
finally killed. The wagon had been sent from the camp.
Harris, Bell, and Squires mounted on horseback, and trav-
elled to the scene of action. They met Mr. Culbertson
returning to camp, and he told Bell the Buffalo was a
superb one, and had better be skinned. A man was sent
to assist in the skinning who had been preparing the Wolf
which was now cooking, as we had expected to dine upon
its flesh; but when Mr. Culbertson returned, covered with
blood and looking like a wild Indian, it was decided to
throw it away; so I cut out the liver, and old Provost and
I went fishing and caught eighteen catfish. I hooked
two tortoises, but put them back in the river. I took a
good swim, which refreshed me much, and I came to
dinner with a fine appetite. This meal consisted wholly
of fish, and we were all fairly satisfied. Before long the
flesh of the Buffalo reached the camp, as well as the hide.
The animal was very fat, and we have meat for some days.
It was now decided that Squires, Provost, and Basil (one
of the men) should proceed down the river to the Charbon-
neau, and there try their luck at Otters and Beavers, and
the rest of us, with the cart, would make our way back to
the fort. All was arranged, and at half-past three this
afternoon we were travelling towards Fort Union. But
hours previous to this, and before our scanty dinner, Owen
had seen another bull, and Harris and Bell joined us in
the hunt. The bull was shot at by McKenzie, who stopped
its career, but as friend Harris pursued it with two of the
hunters and finished it I was about to return, and thought
sport over for the day. However, at this stage of the pro-
ceedings Owen discovered another bull making his way
slowly over the prairie towards us. I was the only one
who had balls, and would gladly have claimed the privilege
of running him, but fearing I might make out badly on my
slower steed, and so lose meat which we really needed, I
94 AUDUBON
handed my gun and balls to Owen McKenzie, and Bell
and I went to an eminence to view the chase. Owen ap-
proached the bull, which continued to advance, and was
now less than a quarter of a mile distant; either it did not
see, or did not heed him, and they came directly towards
each other, until they were about seventy or eighty yards
apart, when the Buffalo started at a good run, and Owen’s
mare, which had already had two hard runs this morning,
had great difficulty in preserving her distance. Owen,
perceiving this, breathed her a minute, and then applying
the whip was soon within shooting distance, and fired a
shot which visibly checked the progress of the bull, and
enabled Owen to soon be alongside of him, when the con-
tents of the second barrel were discharged into the lungs,
passing through the shoulder blade. This brought him
to a stand. Bell and I now started at full speed, and as
soon as we were within speaking distance, called to Owen
not to shoot again. The bull did not appear to be much
exhausted, but he was so stiffened by the shot on the
shoulder that he could not turn quickly, and taking ad-
vantage of this we approached him; as we came near he
worked himself slowly round to face us, and then made a
lunge at us; we then stopped on one side and commenced
discharging our pistols with little or no effect, except to
increase his fury with every shot. His appearance was
now one to inspire terror had we not felt satisfied of our
ability to avoid him. However, even so, I came very near
being overtaken by him. Through my own imprudence,
I placed myself directly in front of him, and as he ad-
vanced I fired at his head, and then ran ahead of him, in-
stead of veering to one side, not supposing that he was
able to overtake me; but turning my head over my shoul-
der, I saw to my horror, Mr. Bull within three feet of me,
prepared to give me a taste of his horns. The next in-
stant I turned sharply off, and the Buffalo being unable to
turn quickly enough to follow me, Bell took the gun from
THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 95
Owen and shot him directly behind the shoulder blade.
He tottered for a moment, with an increased jet of blood
from the mouth and nostrils, fell forward on his horns,
then rolled over on his side, and was dead. He was a
very old animal, in poor case, and only part of him was
worth taking to the fort. Provost, Squires, and Basil
were left at the camp preparing for their departure after
Otter and Beaver as decided. We left them eight or nine
catfish and a quantity of meat, of which they took care to
secure the best, namely the boss or hump. On our home-
ward way we saw several Antelopes, some quite in the
prairie, others far away on the hills, but all of them on
the alert. Owen tried unsuccessfully to approach several
of them at different times. At one place where two were
seen he dismounted, and went round a small hill (for these
animals when startled or suddenly alarmed always make
to these places), and we hoped would have had a shot; but
alas! no! One of the Antelopes ran off to the top of an-
other hill, and the other stood looking at him, and us per-
haps, till Owen (who had been re-mounted) galloped off
towards us. My surprise was great when I saw the other
Antelope following him at a good pace (but not by bounds
or leaps, as I had been told by a former traveller they
sometimes did), until it either smelt him, or found out he
was no friend, and turning round galloped speedily off to
join the one on the lookout. We saw seven or eight
Grouse, and Bell killed one on the ground. We saw a
Sand-hill Crane about two years old, looking quite majes-
tic in a grassy bottom, but it flew away before we were
near enough to get a shot. We passed a fine pond or
small lake, but no bird was there. We saw several par-
cels of Ducks in sundry places, all of which no doubt had
young near. When we turned the corner of the great
prairie we found Owen’s mare close by us. She had run
away while he was after Antelopes. We tied her to a log
to be ready for him when he should reach the spot. He
96 AUDUBON
had to walk about three miles before he did this. How-
ever, to one as young and alert as Owen, such things are
nothing. Once they were not to me. We saw more An-
telope at a distance, here called “Cabris,” and after a
while we reached the wood near the river, and finding
abundance of service-berries, we all got out to break
branches of these plants, Mr. Culbertson alone remaining
in the wagon; he pushed on for the landing. We walked
after him munching our berries, which we found very good,
and reached the landing as the sun was going down behind
the hills. Young McKenzie was already there, having cut
across the point. We decided on crossing the river our-
selves, and leaving all behind us except our guns. We took
to the ferry-boat, cordelled it up the river for a while, then
took to the nearest sand-bar, and leaping into the mud
and water, hauled the heavy boat, Bell and Harris steer-
ing and poling the while. I had pulled off my shoes and
socks, and when we reached the shore walked up to the
fort barefooted, and made my feet: quite sore again; but
we have had a rest and a good supper, and I am writing
in Mr. Culbertson’s room, thinking over all God’s blessings
on this delightful day.
Fuly 17, Monday.
a most agreeable and intelligent companion, hoped that
his sojourn might be of long duration. But, one evening
when tea was prepared, and we expected him to join the
family, he was nowhere to be found. His grasses and
other valuables were all removed from his room. The
night was spent in searching for him in the neighborhood.
No eccentric naturalist could be discovered. Whether he
had perished in a swamp, or had been devoured by a Bear
or a Gar-fish, or had taken to his heels, were matters of
conjecture; nor was it until some weeks after that a letter
from him, thanking us for our attention, assured me of
his safety.
EPISODES 481
SCIPIO AND THE BEAR
THE Black Bear (Ursus americanus), however clumsy in
appearance, is active, vigilant, and persevering; possesses
great strength, courage, and address; and undergoes with
little injury the greatest fatigues and hardships in avoiding
the pursuit of the hunter. Like the Deer, it changes its
haunts with the seasons, and for the same reason, namely,
the desire of obtaining suitable food, or of retiring to the
more inaccessible parts, where it can pass the time in
security, unobserved by man, the most dangerous of its
enemies. During the spring months, it searches for food
in the low rich alluvial lands that border the rivers, or by
the margins of such inland lakes as, on account of their
small size, are called by us ponds. There it procures
abundance of succulent roots, and of the tender juicy
stems of plants, upon which it chiefly feeds at that season.
During the summer heat, it enters the gloomy swamps,
passes much of its time in wallowing in the mud, like a
hog, and contents itself with crayfish, roots, and nettles,
now and then, when hard pressed by hunger, seizing on a
young pig, or perhaps a sow, or even acalf. As soon as
the different kinds of berries which grow on the mountains
begin to ripen, the Bears betake themselves to the high
grounds, followed by their cubs. In such retired parts of
the country where there are no hilly grounds, it pays visits
to the maize fields, which it ravages for a while. After
this, the various species of nuts, acorns, grapes, and other
forest fruits, that form what in the western country is
called mast, attract its attention. The Bear is then seen
rambling singly through the woods to gather this harvest,
not forgetting meanwhile to rob every Bee-tree it meets
with, Bears being, as you well know, expert at this oper-
ation. You also know that they are good climbers, and
VOL. 11.31
482 AUDUBON
may have been told, or at least may now be told, that the
Black Bear now and then ouses itself in the hollow trunks
of the larger trees for weeks together, when it is said to
suck its paws. You are probably not aware of a habit in
which it indulges, and which, being curious, must be inter-
esting to you.
At one season, the Black Bear may be seen examining
the lower part of the trunk of a tree for several minutes
with much attention, at the same time looking around, and
snuffing the air, to assure itself that no enemy is near. It
then raises itself on its hind-legs, approaches the trunk,
embraces it with its fore-legs, and scratches the bark with
its teeth and claws for several minutes in continuance. Its
jaws clash against each other, until a mass of foam runs
down on both sides of the mouth. After this it con-
tinues its rambles.
In various portions of our country, many of our woods-
men and hunters who have seen the Bear performing the
singular operation just described, imagine that it does so
for the purpose of leaving behind it an indication of its
size and power. They measure the height at which the
scratches are made, and in this manner can, in fact, form
an estimate of the magnitude of the individual. My own
opinion, however, is different. It seems to me that the
Bear scratches the trees, not for the purpose of shewing
its size or its strength, but merely for that of sharpening
its teeth and claws, to enable it better to encounter a rival
of its own species during the amatory season. The Wild
Boar of Europe clashes its tusks and scrapes the earth with
its feet, and the Deer rubs its antlers against the lower
part of the stems of young trees or bushes, for the same
purpose.
Being one night sleeping in the house of a friend, I
was wakened by a negro servant bearing a light, who gave
me a note, which he said his master had just received.
I ran my eye over the paper, and found it to be a com-
EPISODES 483
munication from a neighbor, requesting my friend and
myself to join him as soon as possible, and assist in kill-
ing some Bears at that moment engaged in destroying his
corn. I was not long in dressing, you may be assured,
and, on entering the parlor, found my friend equipped
and only waiting for some bullets, which a negro was
employed in casting. The overseer’s horn was heard
calling up the negroes from their different cabins. Some
were already engaged in saddling our horses, whilst others
were gathering all the cur-dogs of the plantation. All
was bustle. Before half an hour had elapsed, four stout
negro men, armed with axes and knives, and mounted on
strong nags of their own (for you must know, kind reader,
that many of our slaves rear horses, cattle, pigs, and poul-
try, which are exclusively their own property), were fol-
lowing us at a round gallop through the woods, as we
made directly for the neighbor’s plantation, a little more
than five miles off.
The night was none of the most favorable, a drizzling
rain rendering the atmosphere thick and rather sultry;
but as we were well acquainted with the course, we soon
reached the house, where the owner was waiting our
arrival. There were now three of us armed with guns,
half a dozen servants, and a good pack of dogs of all
kinds. We jogged on towards the detached field in which -
the Bears were at work. The owner told us that for some
days several of these animals had visited his corn, and
that a negro who was sent every afternoon to see at what
part of the enclosure they entered, had assured him there
were at least five in the field that night.
THE AMERICAN SUN PERCH
Few of our smaller fresh-water fishes excel, either in
beauty or in delicacy and flavor, the species which I have
chosen as the subject of this article, and few afford more
pleasure to young fishers. Although it occurs in all our
streams, whether rapid or gentle, small or large, in the
mill-dam overshadowed by tall forest trees, or in the open
lake margined with reeds, you must never expect to find
it in impure waters. Let the place be deep or shallow,
broad or narrow, the water must be clear enough to allow
the sun’s rays to fall unimpaired on the rich coat of mail
that covers the body of the Sunfish. Look at him as he
poises himself under the lee of the protecting rock beneath
our feet! See how steadily he maintains his position,
and yet how many rapid motions of his fins are necessary
to preserve it! Now another is by his side glowing with
equal beauty, and poising itself by equally easy and grace-
the Ibis retires a single step, and patiently waits the result. The Cray-fish,
incommoded by the load of earth, instantly sets to work anew, and at last
reaches the entrance of its burrow; but the moment it comes in sight the
Ibis seizes it with his bill. (The White Ibis, és Alba, Plate CCXXIL,
Ornith. Biog., vol. iii, p. 176).
516 AUDUBON
ful movements. The sun is shining, and under the lee of
every stone, and sunk log, some of the little creatures are
rising to the surface to enjoy the bright blaze, which en-
hances all their beauty. The golden hues of some parts of
the body, blend with the green of the emerald, while the
coral tints of the lower parts and the red of its sparkling
eye, render our little favorite a perfect gem of the waters.
The rushing stream boils and gurgles as it forces its
way over the obstacles presented by its bed, the craggy
points, large stones and logs that are strewn along the
bottom. Every one of these proves a place of rest, safety,
and observation to the little things, whose eyes are ever
anxiously watching their favorite prey as it passes. There
an unfortunate moth, swept along by the current, labors in
vain to extricate itself from the treacherous element; its
body, indeed, at intervals, rises ‘a little above the surface,
but its broad wings, now wet and heavy, bear it down
again to the water. The Sunfish has marked it, and as
it passes his retreat, he darts towards it, with twenty of
his fellows, all eager to seize the prize. The swiftest
swallows it in a moment, and all immediately return to
their lurking-places, where they fancy themselves secure.
But, alas! the Sunfish is no more without enemies than
the moth, or any other living creature. So has nature
determined, evidently, to promote prudence and industry,
without which none can reap the full advantage of life.
On the top of yon miller’s dam stands boldly erect the
ardent fisher. Up to the knees and regardless of the dan-
ger of his situation, he prepares his apparatus of destruc-
tion. A keen hook attached to his grass line is now hid
within the body of a worm or grasshopper. Witha know-
ing eye he marks one after another every surge of the
water below. Observing the top of a rock scarcely cov-
ered, he sends his hook towards it with gentleness and
certainty; the bait now floats and anon sinks; his reel
slowly lengthens the line, which is suddenly tightened,
EPISODES 517
and he feels that a fish is secured. Now whirls the reel
again; thrice has the fish tried its utmost strength and
speed, but soon, panting and exhausted, it is seen float-
ing for a moment on the surface. Nothing now is re-
quired but to bring it to hand, which done, the angler
baits anew, and sends forth the treacherous morsel. For
an hour or more he continues the agreeable occupation,
drawing from the stream a fish at every short interval.
To the willow twig fastened to his waist a hundred “ Sun-
nies” are already attached. Suddenly the sky is over-
cast, and the crafty fisher, although aware that with a
different hook and bait he might soon procure a fine
eel or two, carefully wades to the shore, and homeward
leisurely plods his way.
In this manner are the Sunfishes caught by the regular
or “scientific” anglers, and a beautiful sight it is to see
the ease and grace with which they allure the objects of
their desire, whether in the open turbulence of the waters,
or under the low boughs of the overhanging trees, where,
in some deep hole, a swarm of the little creatures may
be playing in fancied security. Rarely does his tackle
become entangled, whilst, with incomparable dexterity,
he draws one after another from the waters.
Thousands of individuals, however, there are, who, less
curious in their mode of fishing, often procure as many
*Sunnies ” without allowing them to play for a moment.
Look at these boys! One stands on the shore, while the
others are on fallen trees that project over the stream.
Their rods, as you perceive, are merely shoots of the
hazel or hickory, their lines are simply twine, and their
hooks none of the finest. One has a calabash filled with
worms and grubs of many sorts, kept alive in damp earth,
and another is supplied with a bottle containing half a
gross of live “hoppers;” the third has no bait at all, but
borrows from his nearest neighbor. Well, there they
are, “three merry boys,” whirling their rods in the air to
518 AUDUBON
unroll their lines, on one of which, you observe, a cork is
fastened, while on another is a bit of light wood, and on
the third a grain or two of large shot, to draw it at once
to a certain depth. Now their hooks are baited and all
are ready. Each casts his line as he thinks best, after
he has probed the depth of the stream with his rod, to
enable him to place his buoy at the proper point. Bob,
bob, goes the cork; down it moves; the bit of wood dis-
appears, the leaded line tightens; in a moment up swing
the “Sunnies,” which, getting unhooked, are projected
far among the grass, where they struggle in vain, until
death ends their efforts. The hooks are now baited anew,
and dropped into the water. The fish is abundant, the
weather propitious and delightful, for it is now October;
and so greedy have the “ Sunnies”’ become of grasshoppers
and grubs that dozens at once dash at the same bait. The
lads, believe me, have now rare sport, and in an hour
scarcely a fish remains in the hole. The happy children
have caught, perhaps, some hundreds of delicious “ pan-
fish,” to feed their parents and delight their little sisters.
Surely their pleasure is fully as great as that experienced
by the scientific angler.
I have known instances when the waters of a dam hav-
ing been let out, for some reason better known to the
miller than to myself, all the Sunfish have betaken them-
selves to one or two deep holes, as if to avoid being car-
ried away from their favorite abode. There I have seen
them in such multitudes that one could catch as many as
he pleased with a pin-hook, fastened to any sort of line,
and baited with any sort of worm or insect, or even with
a piece of newly caught fish. Yet, and Iam not able to
account for it, all of a sudden, without apparent cause,
they would cease to take, and no allurement whatever
could entice them or the other fishes in the pool to seize
the hook.
During high freshets, this species of Perch seldom bites
EPISODES 519
at anything; but you may procure them with a cast-net
or a seine, provided you are well acquainted with the
localities. On the contrary, when the waters are clear
and low, every secluded hole, every eddy under the lee
of a rock, every place sheltered by a raft of timber, will
afford you‘amusement. In some parts of the Southern
States, the negroes procure these fishes late in the autumn
in shallow ponds or bayous, by wading through the water
with caution, and placing at every few steps a wicker
apparatus, not unlike a small barrel, open at both ends.
The moment the fishes find themselves confined within
the lower part of this, which is pressed to the bottom
of the stream, their skippings announce their capture, and
the fisher secures his booty.
This species, the Labrus auritus of Linnzeus, the Pomo-
tis vulgaris of Cuvier, seldom exceeds five or six inches
in length, but is rather deep in proportion. The usual
size is from four to five inches, with a depth of from two
to two anda half. They are not bony, and at all seasons
afford delicate eating. Having observed a considerable
change in their color in different parts of the United
States, and in different streams, ponds, or lakes, I was
led to think that this curious effect might be produced
by the difference of color in the water. Thus the Sun-
fish caught in the deep waters of Green River, in Ken-
tucky, exhibit a depth of olive-brown quite different from
the general tint of those caught in the colorless waters
of the Ohio or Schuylkill; those of the reddish-colored
waters of the bayous of the Louisiana swamps look as if
covered with a coppery tarnish; and, lastly, those met
with in streams that glide beneath cedars or other firs,
have a pale and sallow complexion.
The Sun Perch, wherever found, seems to give a
decided preference to sandy, gravelly, or rocky beds of
streams, avoiding those of which the bottom is muddy.
At the period of depositing their eggs this preference
520 AUDUBON
is still more apparent. The little creature is then seen
swimming rapidly over shallows, the bed of which is
mostly formed of fine gravel, when after a time it is ob-
served to poise itself and gradually sink to the bottom,
where with its fin it pushes aside the sand to the extent
of eight or ten inches, thus forming a circular cavity. In
a few days a little ridge is thus raised around, and in the
cleared area the roe is deposited. By wading carefully
over the extent of the place, a person may count forty,
fifty, or more of these beds,,some within a few feet of
each other, and some several yards apart. Instead of
abandoning its spawn, as others of the family are wont
to do, this little fish keeps guard over it with all the care
of a sitting bird. You’ observe it poised over the bed,
watching the objects around. Should the rotten leaf of
a tree, a piece of wood, or any other substance, happen to
be rolled over the border of the bed, the Sunfish carefully
removes it, holding the obnoxious matter in its mouth,
and dropping it over the margin. Having many times
witnessed this act of prudence and cleanliness in the
little sunny, and observed that at this period it will not
seize on any kind of bait, I took it into my head one fair
afternoon to make a few experiments for the purpose of
judging how far its instinct or reason might induce it to
act when disturbed or harassed.
Provided with a fine fishing-line, and such insects as I
knew were relished by this fish, I reached a sand-bar
covered by about one foot of water, where I had previously
seen many deposits. Approaching the nearest to the
shore with great care, I baited my hook with a living
ground-worm, the greater part of which was left at liberty
to writhe as it pleased, and, throwing the line up the
stream, managed it so that at last it passed over the
border of the nest, when I allowed it to remain on the
bottom. The fish, I perceived, had marked me, and as
the worm intruded on its premises, it swam to the farther
EPISODES 521
side, there poised itself for a few moments, then ap-
proached the worm, and carried it in its mouth over the
side next to me, with a care and gentleness so very
remarkable as to afford me much surprise. I repeated
the experiment six or seven times, and always with the
same result. Then ‘changing the bait, I employed a
young grasshopper, which I floated into the egg-bed.
The insect was removed, as the worm had been, and two
attempts to hook the fish proved unsuccessful. I now
threw my line with the hook bare, and managed as before.
The Sunny appeared quite alarmed. It swam to one side,
then to another, in rapid succession, and seemed to enter-
tain a fear that the removal of the suspicious object might
prove extremely dangerous to it. Yet it gradually ap-
proached the hook, took it delicately up, and the next
instant dropped it over the edge of the bed.
Reader, if you are one who, like me, have studied
Nature with a desire to improve your mental faculties,
and contemplate the wonderful phenomena that present
themselves to the view at every step we take in her wide
domain, you would have been struck, had you witnessed
the actions of this little fish, as I was, with admiration
of the Being who gave such instincts to so humble an ob-
ject. I gazed in amazement at the little creature, and
wondered that Nature had endowed it with such feelings
and powers. The irrepressible desire of acquiring knowl-
edge prompted me to continue the experiment; but with
whatever dexterity I could in those days hook a fish, all
my efforts proved abortive, not with this individual only,
but with many others which I subjected to the same
trials.
Satisfied that at this period the Sunfish was more than
a match for me, I rolled up my line, and with the rod
gave a rap on the water as nearly over the fish as I could.
The Sunny darted off to a distance of several yards,
poised itself steadily, and as soon as my rod was raised
522 AUDUBON
from the water, returned to its station. The effect of
the blow on the water was now apparent, for I perceived
that the fish was busily employed in smoothing the bed;
but here ended my experiments on the Sunfish.
MY STYLE OF DRAWING BIRDS?
Whew, as a little lad, I first began my attempts at
representing birds on paper, I was far from possessing
much knowledge of their nature, and, like hundreds of
others, when I had laid the effort aside, I was under the
impression that it was a finished picture of a bird because
it possessed some sort of a head and tail, and two sticks
in lieu of legs; I never troubled myself with the thought
that abutments were requisite to prevent it from falling
either backward or forward, and oh! what bills and claws
I did draw, to say nothing of a perfectly straight line for
a back, and a tail stuck in anyhow, like an unshipped
rudder.
Many persons besides my father saw my miserable
attempts, and so many praised them to the skies that
perhaps no one was ever nearer being completely wrecked
than I by these mistaken, though affectionate words. My
father, however, spoke very differently to me; he con-
stantly impressed upon me that nothing in the world pos-
sessing life and animation was easy to imitate, and that
as I grew older he hoped I would become more and more
alive to this. He was so kind to me, and so deeply inter-
ested in my improvement that to have listened carelessly
1 Audubon’s drawings have been criticised for their fratness. Of this,
Cuvier says: “It is difficult to give a true picture of a bird with the same
effect of perspective as a landscape, and the lack of this is no defect in a
work on Natural History. Naturalists prefer the real color of objects to
those accidental tints which are the result of the varied reflections of light
necessary to complete picturesque representations, but foreign and even in-
jurious to scientific truth.”
’
EPISODES 523
to his serious words would have been highly ungrateful.
I listened less to others, more to him, and his words
became my law.
The first collection of drawings I made were from
European specimens, procured by my father or myself,
and I still have them in my possession. They were all
represented strictly ornithologically, which means neither
more nor less than in stiff, unmeaning profiles, such as
are found in most works published to the present day.
My next set was begun in America, and there, without
my honored mentor, I betook myself to the drawing of
specimens hung by a string tied to one foot, having a
desire to show every portion, as the wings lay loosely
spread, as well as the tail. In this manner I made some
pretty fair signs for poulterers.
One day, while watching the habits of a pair of Pewees
at Mill Grove, I looked so intently at their graceful atti-
tudes that a thought struck my mind like a flash of light,
that nothing, after all, could ever answer my enthusiastic
desires to represent nature, except to copy her in her own
way, alive and moving! Then I began again. On I
went, forming, literally, hundreds of outlines of my favor-
ites, the Pewees; how good or bad I cannot tell, but I
fancied I had mounted a step on the high pinnacle before
me. I continued for months together, simply outlining
birds as I observed them, either alighted or on the wing,
but could finish none of my sketches. I procured many
individuals of different species, and laying them on the
table or on the ground, tried to place them in such atti-
tudes as I had sketched. But, alas! they were dead, to
all intents and purposes, and neither wing, leg, nor tail
could I place according to my wishes. A second thought
came to my assistance; by means of threads I raised or
lowered a head, wing, or tail, and by fastening the threads
1 This was in 1838; they have since been destroyed by fire, or, at least,
the greater number.
524 AUDUBON
securely, I had something like life before me; yet much
was wanting. When I saw the living birds, I felt the
blood rush to my temples, and almost in despair spent
about a month without drawing, but in deep thought, and
daily in the company of the feathered inhabitants of dear
Mill Grove.
I had drawn from the “manikin” whilst under David,
and had obtained tolerable figures of our species through
this means, so I cogitated how far a manikin of a bird
would answer. I labored with wood, cork, and wires,
and formed a grotesque figure, which I cannot describe
in any other words than by saying that when set up it was
a tolerable-looking Dodo. A friend roused my ire by
laughing at it immoderately, and assuring me that if I
wished to represent a tame gander it might do. I gave it
a kick, broke it to atoms, walked off, and thought again.
Young as I was, my impatience to obtain my desire
filled my brains with many plans. I not infrequently
dreamed that I had made a newdiscovery; and long before
day, one morning, I leaped out of bed fully persuaded
that I had obtained my object. I ordered a horse to be
saddled, mounted, and went off at a gallop towards the
little village of Norristown, distant about five miles.
When I arrived there not a door was open, for it was not
yet daylight. Therefore I went to the river, took a bath,
and, returning to the town, entered the first opened shop,
inquired for wire of different sizes, bought some, leaped
on my steed, and was soon again at Mill Grove. The
wife of my tenant, I really believe, thought that I was
mad, as, on offering me breakfast, I told her I only
wanted my gun. I was off to the creek, and shot the first
Kingfisher I met. I picked the bird up, carried it home
by the bill, sent for the miller, and bade him bring mea
piece of board of soft wood. When he returned he found
me filing sharp points to some pieces of wire, and I pro-
ceeded to show him what I meant todo. I pierced the
‘OSH ‘THUYAHLAM tH “AA NON HdVASOLOHd V KOT
“MHAYO NANOIMNAd AHL NO YAONSD TIN LY FOVLLOO SYATIIN GNV TIIN ato
EPISODES | 525
body of the fishing bird, and fixed it on the board; another
wire passed above his upper mandible held the head ina
pretty fair attitude, smaller ones fixed the feet according
to my notions, and even common pins came to my assist-
ance. The last wire proved a delightful elevator to the
bird’s tail, and at last —there stood before me the veal
Kingfisher.
Think not that my lack of breakfast was at all in my
way. No, indeed! I outlined the bird, aided by com-
passes and my eyes, colored it, finished it, without a
thought of hunger. My honest miller stood by the while,
and was delighted to see me pleased. This was what I
shall call my first drawing actually from nature, for even
the eye of the Kingfisher was as if full of life whenever
I pressed the lids aside with my finger.
In those happy days of my youth I was extremely fond
of reading what I still call the delightful fables of
La Fontaine. I had frequently perused the one entitled
“T’hirondelle et les petits oiseaux,” and thought much of
the meaning imparted in the first line, which, if I now
recollect rightly, goes on to say that “ Quccongue a beau-
coup vu, peut avoir beaucoup retenu.” To me this meant
that to study Nature was to ramble through her domains
late and early, and if I observed all as I should, that the
memory of what I saw would at least be of service to me.
“Early to bed, and early to rise,” was another adage
which I thought, and still think, of much value; ’tis a
pity that instead of being merely an adage it has not
become a general law; I have followed it ever since I was
a child, and am ever grateful for the hint it conveyed.
As I wandered, mostly bent on the study of birds, and
with a wish to represent all those found in our woods, to
the best of my powers, I gradually became acquainted
with their forms and habits, and the use of my wires was
improved by constant practice. Whenever I produced a
better representation of any species the preceding one was
526 AUDUBON
destroyed, and after a time I laid down what I was pleased
to call a constitution of my manner of drawing birds,
formed upon natural principles, which I will try to put
briefly before you.
The gradual knowledge of the forms and habits of the
birds of our country impressed me with the idea that
each part of a family must possess a certain degree of
affinity, distinguishable at sight in any one of them.
The Pewees, which I knew by experience were positively
Flycatchers, led me to the discovery that every bird truly
of that genus, when standing, was usually in a passive
attitude; that they sat uprightly, now and then glancing
their eyes upwards or sideways, to watch the approach of
their insect prey; that if in pursuit of this prey their
movements through the air were, in each and all of that
tribe, the same, etc., etc.
Gallinaceous birds I saw were possessed of movements
and positions peculiar to them. Amongst the water-
birds also I found characteristic manners. I observed
that the Herons walked with elegance and stateliness,
that, in fact, every family had some mark by which it
could be known; and, after having collected many ideas
and much material of this kind, I fairly began, in greater
earnest than ever, the very collection of Birds of America,
which is now being published.
The better I understood my subjects, the better I be-
came able to represent them in what I hoped were natural
positions. The bird once fixed with wires on squares, I
studied as a lay figure before me, its nature, previously
known to me as far as habits went, and its general form
having been frequently observed. Now I could examine
more thoroughly the bill, nostrils, eyes, legs, and claws,
as well as the structure of the wings and tail; the very
tongue was of importance to me, and I thought the more
I understood all these particulars, the better representa-
tions I made of the originals.
“AUDUBON.
FROM A PENCIL SKETCH AFTER DEATH, BY JOHN WOODHOUSE AUDUBON,
January 28, 1851.
EPISODES 527
My drawings at first were made altogether in water-
colors, but they wanted softness and a great deal of finish.
For a long time I was much dispirited at this, particu-
larly when vainly endeavoring to imitate birds of soft
and downy plumage, such as that of most Owls, Pigeons,
Hawks, and Herons. How this could be remedied re-
quired a new train of thought, or some so-called accident,
and the latter came to my aid.
One day, after having finished a miniature portrait of
the one dearest to me in all the world, a portion of the
face was injured by a drop of water, which dried where it
fell; and although I labored a great deal to repair the
damage, the blur still remained. Recollecting that, when
a pupil of David, I had drawn heads and figures in
different colored chalks, I resorted to a piece of that
material of the tint required for the part, applied the pig-
ment, rubbed the place with a cork stump, and at once
produced the desired effect.
My drawings of Owls and other birds of similar plumage
were much improved by such applications; indeed, after
afew years of patience, some of my attempts began almost
to please me, and I have continued the same style ever
since, and that now is for more than thirty years.
Whilst travelling in Europe as well as America, many
persons have evinced the desire to draw birds in my man-
ner, and I have always felt much pleasure in showing it
to any one by whom I hoped ornithological delineations
or portraitures would be improved.
BOWIE KNIFE,
Presented by Henry Carleton,
INDEX
ABERT, Cot, JOHN, i. 70.
Abingdon, ii. 218.
Abyssinian, i. 199.
Académie des Sciences, i. 308, 312, 317-
Academy of Arts, Edinburgh, i. 177.
Academy of Sciences, Philadelphia, i. 55, 56,
99, 525+
Academy of Sciences, New York.
York Academy of Sciences.
Acer saccharinum, ii. 508.
Actitis macularia, i. 365.
Adams, Bernard, ii. 97.
Adams, John Quincy, i. 275.
Adamson, John, i. 230, 233, 235, 262-264,
437-
Egialitis semipalmatus, i. 386.
Africa, i, 217.
Alabama, i. 329; ii. 445.
Alauda alpestris, i. 384, 419, 420, 424. See
also Lark, Shore.
—— spragueii, ii. 41.
Albagash River, ii, 392.
Alca torda, i. 364-366, 369, 383, 384, 391,
428.
Alexis, i. 529, 530, 536; ii. 4, 7, 9, 16, 20,
23, 25, 36, 38, 39) 41, 42) 71+
Algiers, ii. 232.
Allan, William, i. 171, 189.
Alleghanies, Mountains, i. 62, 454, 459; ii
437) 454+
Alligator, i. 87, 187, 205 ; ii, 251, 255, 258,
267; 309) 337) 354) 355+
Aln River, i. 228.
Alnwick, i. 228, 263.
Alnwick Castle, i. 262.
America, i. 66, 69, 91, 94, 228, 232, 235,
237, 245, 253-255, 270, 276, 277, 281,
289, 295-297, 301, 310, 313; 315) 3295 330,
33%) 333) 339, 3423 it. 210, 231, 527.
American Fur Company, i. 72, 525; ii. 6,
47, 188.
American Harbor, i. 365, 380, 383, 384.
American Ornithological Union, i. 77.
Amherst Island, i. 354, 355+
Amiens, i, 305.
VOL. 11.—34
See New
Ammodramus bairdi, ii. 117,
—— [Colurniculus] lecontei, i. 510.
Amsterdam, i. 301.
Anas fusca, i. 418.
—— glacialis, i. 414. See also Duck, Vel-*
vet.
—— obscura, i. 366.
Anatomical School, Oxford, i. 292.
Andes, i. 271.
“ Andromache, The” (brig), i. 88.
Angel Inn, i. 275.
Anhingas, ii. 337.
Anser albifrons gambeli, i. 459.
—— canadensis, i. 370. See also Goose,
Wild.
Antelope, i. 496, 499, 504, 505, 507-512,
525; li. 9, 19, 36, 42-50, 56, 58, 60-65,
87, 90, 95, 102, 104-106, 108, 113, 114,
117, 118, 121, 122, 126, 128, 130-133,
138, 140, 154, 155, 166, 167, 169.
Anthus pennsylvanicus, i. 384.
—— spinoletta, i. 384, 391, 399. See also
Lark, Brown.
—— [Neocorys] spraguei, ii. 41.
Anticosti Island, i. 363.
Antilocapra americana, ii. 42.
Antiquarian Society, Edinburgh, i. 169, 181,
205, 211,
Apple Creek, ii. 5, 158.
Apple White, i. 505.
Aquila chrysaétus, i. 415.
Archibald, George, i. 438.
Arctomys [cynomys] Iudovicianus, i. 458,
522. See also Dog, Prairie.
—— monax, i. 461.
Ardea herodias, i. 27, 354.
—— occidentalis, ii. 370.
Arickaras, i. 532; ii. 3.
Arkansas River, i. 161, 291; ii. 215, 437.
Arkwright, Sir Thomas, i. 137, 138.
Armadillo, ii. 36.
Arrow Rock, ii. 174.
Arthur’s Seat, i. 213, 266.
Artemisia, ii. 26, 39.
Artois, i. 305.
530
INDEX
Arvicola pennsylvanica, i. 530; ii. 165.
—— riparius, i. 530.
Ashley, General, ii. 3.
Asia, i. 217.
Assiniboin, ii. 23, 25, 26, 38, 48, 51, 77, 78,
97, 107-109, 112, 121, 124, 126, 127, 133,
140, 145, 154, 156.
** Assiniboin ” (steamer), ii. 7, 42.
Astoria, Irving’s, i. 456, 486.
Athenzum, Liverpool, i. 270.
Atheneum, London, i. 253.
Athens, British, ii. 208.
Atherton, Mr., i. 271.
Atkinson, Mr., i. 243.
Atlantic Ocean, i. 91, 354, 440.
Auckland, Lord, i. 282.
Audubon, Georgiana, ii. 175.
, Admiral Jean, i. 5, 9, 42.
—, John Woodhouse, i. 6, 32, 38, 47, 51,
60, 62, 66, 67, 69, 72; 73-76, 81, E2h, 230,
232, 259, 291; companion in Labrador,
345-445 3 476; fi. 168, 176.
——, Mrs. Lucy, i. 18, 21, 26, 34, 35, 39-41,
48, 51, 52, 60, 63, 64, 66, 68, 70, 81, 4493
ii. 158.
—, Lucy, infant, i. 37.
——, Rosa, i. 24, 35, 37:
—, Mrs. V.G. See Audubon, Georgiana.
—,, Victor Gifford, i. 10, 29, 30, 38, 47, 48,
51, 53 54, 60, 62, 66-71, 73) 75s 76, BaDy
291, 300, 302, 345, 453, 520; ii. 117, 168,
274, 277-
Audubon and Bakewell, i. 29.
Audubonian period, i. 64.
Audubon Park, i. 71.
Audubon’s Bluff, ii. 107.
Audubon’s Isle, ii. 338.
Auk, Great, ii. 131.
—— Razor-billed, i. 364.
Aux Cayes, i. 7, 8.
Avocet, i. 517.
Ayowah River, ii. 169.
Ayre River, i. 245, 246.
Ayres, W. O., ii. 41.
BAAMCHENUNSGAMOOK, Lake, ii. 302.
Bachman, John, D.D., i. 40, 56, 66-68, 70,
72, 76, 426, 441, 449, 467, 476, 510, 529;
ii. 29, 97, 173, 378.
—, Maria R,, i. 70.
Backhouse, John, i. 285.
Bad River, i. 526.
Badger, ii. 35, 36, 146, 147, 166, 168, 170,
173.
Baird, Spencer F., ii. 12, 117; Birds of
North America, ii. 117.
Bakewell, i. 135, 138.
——, Benjamin, i. 22, 26, 28.
—, Lucy. See Audubon, Mrs. Lucy.
——, Thomas W., i. 20, 29, 32, 33, 35, 46.
—,, William, i. 17, 18, 24, 28, 39.
——, William Gifford, i. 174, 454, 526.
Balacouda, i. 83; ii. 303, 305.
Balize, i. 87; ii. 3or.
Ball in Newfoundland, i. 433.
Baltimore, i. 310, 449, 453, 477} ii. 219, 221.
Bamborough Castle, i. 225.
Bangor, ii. 390, 392, 393.
Bantams, i. 303.
Baptiste. See Moncrévier, Jean Baptiste.
Barbier, Antoine Alexandre, i. 314.
Barclay, Mr., i. 101, 102, 260, 261.
Barro, ii. 218, 221,
Barry’s Hotel, i. 190, 194.
Basil, ii. 93, 98-101.
Basil River, i. 503; ii. 168.
Bat, i. 482, 500, 502; ii. 162,
Baton Rouge, ii. 251, 252.
Bay Verte, i. 440.
Bayfield, i. 376, 388, 392, 406, 407; ii. 415.
Bayonne, i. 11.
Bayou Lafourche, ii, 252.
—— Sara, i. 49, 52, 58, 62, 81, 130, 231.
259, 307} il. 251, 274.
Beal Family, ii. 200.
Bear, i. 175, 365, 375, 408, 412, 458; ii. 136-
138, 154-156, 158, 212, 222, 227, 228, 246,
261-263, 267, 269, 270, 272, 294, 319, 320,
324, 374, 382, 383, 390, 424, 439, 440, 441,
452, 457, 478-480, 482, 496.
—, Black, i. 378, 489, 490, 492; ii. 133,
173, 174, 481, 482, 484, 485.
——, Grizzly, i. 526; ii. 14, 25, 41, 51, 54,
60, 64-66, 72, 75, 86, 117, 121-123, 139,
146, 147.
—— story, ii. 136.
— trap, i. 371.
Beaumont, Mr.,, ii, 172.
Beaver, i. 300, 378, 484, 501, 520, 5313 ii. 4,
54, 70, 76, 93, 95) 99, 100, 102, 122, 136,
158, 160, 161, 176.
— Creek, ii. 159.
Bedford, ii. 221.
“ Bee” (steamer), ii. 50.
— tree, ii. 481.
Beech woods, i. 52, 53, 231.
Beetle, Diamond, i. 129.
Beggar's Opera, i. 184, 185,
Behind the Veil, i. 29.
INDEX
531
Belford, i. 225.
Belgrade, ii. 276.
Bell, John G., i. 73; companion on Missouri
River trip, i. 453-5323 ii. 4-176, 352.
Belle Isle, ii. 416.
—— Vue, i. 477, 5173 ii. 172, 416.
Belles Fleurs, Redouté’s, i. 326.
Bengal, i. 307.
Bennett, Edward T., i. 294.
Bentley, Robert, i. 139-141, 246-248, 250-
254, 259, 264, 274) 279-282, 341.
Berlin, i. 127.
Berry, Duchesse de, i. 337.
Berthoud, Nicholas Augustus, i. 34, 47, 54,
69, 88, 441, 4545 ii. 29,175, 200, 215, 221,
247, 259, 453-
Berthoud family, i. 29.
Bertrand, Dr., i. 324.
Berwick, i. 225.
Best, Robert, i. 36, 37, 48.
Bewick, Robert, i. 231, 232.
— Thomas, i. 108, 229-233, 237, 238, 260,
263, 3033 ii. 198.
Big Bend Creek, i. 513.
— Sioux River, i. 489, 501; ii. 169, 170.
Bighorns, ti. 24 49, 56, 65, 68, 71, 72; 74
75, 78, 88, lol, IIL, 114, 121-123, 128,
131, 132, 139, 140, 142, 147-152, 154.
Bijou’s Hill, ii. 167.
Billings, Capt. i. 365, 371, 372, 413-
Biography of Birds, ii. 97.
Bird of Washington, i. 266, 271.
—— Rocks, i. 359.
Birds of America, i. 27, 28, 40, 59, 69, 70,
75s 9%) 153, 160, 237, 277, 342, 345, 402)
427) 457) 459) 4703 ii. 117, 198, 212, 526,
Birds of Colorado Valley, ii. 117.
Birds of North America, Baird’s, ii. 117.
Birds of the North West, Coues, i. 402.
Birmingham, i. 119.
Bismarck, ii. 5, 9.
Bittern, American, i. 434.
Black Bull Hotel, i. 144.
— Cock, i. 144, 206, 209, 210, 299.
—— Harris, ii. 35, 173.
— Heath, i. 304.
— Hills, ii. 20, 136, 152.
— Mts. ii. 5, 20.
— Snake Hills, i. 471, 472, 475; ii. 173.
— Warrior, i. 57.
Blackbird, i. 106, 134, 226, 236, 278, 297,
338; 339) 349, i 477; Brewer's, i. 474.
— (chief), i i. 485.
— Hill, i. 485.
Blackfoot Fort, ii, 42, 50.
Blackfoot Indians, i. 501; ii. 33, 47, 48, 53, 77)
78, 87, 89, 108, 112, 137, 144, 154, 178,
188, 189.
—— River, ii. 114.
Black-poll Warbler, i. 178.
Blackwall, i. 385.
“ Blackwood’s Magazine,’’ i. 160, 161, 172,
180, 200, 240, 266.
Blair, Mr., i. 217.
Blanc Sablons, i. 416.
Blanchard, Mr., i. 437.
Blind asylum, Liverpool, i. 106, 272.
Blood Indians, ii. 180, 188.
“ Blow me down,’’ Cape, i. 444.
Blue Boar, i. 285.
— Jay, i. 353.
Bluebird, i. 476, 477, 496; ii, 7, 55, 163.
—, Arctic, ii. 50, 55, 67, 79-
Boar, Wild, ii. 482.
Bobolink, ii. 86.
Bodley, A. P., ii. 254.
Bohn, Henry George, i. 127, 128, 135.
Bolton, i. 142.
—,, Fox, Livingston, and Co., i. 511.
Bombarde, Alexis. See Alexis.
Bonaparte, Charles Lucien, i. 55, 56, 81,
118, 177, 185, 186, 194, 200, 244, 256,
257, 270, 292, 298, 301, 314, 324, 366,
368, 385, 403, 412, 416, 422.
—, Charles Lucien, Ornithology, i. 55.
—, Joseph, i. 169, 185.
—, Napoleon, i. 11, 15, 24, 40, 185, 186,
217, 238, 273; 317) 322, 3243 li. 35, 203.
Bonasa umbellus, i. 401.
Bonaventure, ii. 42, 51, 58-61, 64.
Bonhomme Island, ii. 168.
Bonita, ii. 302.
Bonne Espérance, i. 413, 425+
Bonnet Carré, ii. 253.
Bonneville, Capt., ii. 4.
Boobies, ii. 347.
Booby, Island, ii. 347.
Boone, Daniel, i. 459; ii. 241, 245, 455,
460, 461, 506.
Boone family, ii. 207.
Boone’s Lick, i. 459.
— Salt works, i. 459.
Boonesborough, ii. 506.
Booneville, i. 5593 ii. 174.
Booth family, i li. 200.
Boston, i. 67, 68, 73, 88, 345, 35%, 411, 422,
441, 442, 445 3 li. 382, 393, 401.
Botanical gardens, i. 103.
Boucherville, ii. 78, 86, 131-133, 138.
Boulcar, Lady, i. 196, 197.
532
INDEX
Boulogne, i. 339.
Bourgeat, Alexandre, i. 81, 162, 211.
Bowie, Mr., i. 528; ii. 5.
Bowen, Lieut., i. 391, 392, 407.
—_ J, F., 1. 453.
Brackenridge, i. 486.
Bradbury, i. 486.
Brae House, i. 218.
Bragdon, Samuel L., i. 94.
Branard, Mr., i. 51.
Brand family, i. 52.
Brandywine, i. 280.
Birmingham, i. 251.
Branta canadensis, i. 457.
—— hutchinsi, ii. 174.
Bras d’Or, i. 410-413, 421, 428; ii. 362,
416, 418.
Breaking of the ice,i. 31.
Brent, i. 357, 359, 378.
Brewer, Thomas M., i. 73, 526; ii. 48.
Brewster, Sir David, i. 164, 179-183, 189,
190, 209.
Bridges, David, i. 157-159, 161, 169, 172,
174, 178, 183, 188, 202, 204.
British Birds, MacGillivray’s, i. 65.
British Museum, i. 258, 284, 301, 342.
Brookes, Joshua, i. 117, 118, 123, 124, 280-
282.
Brouillerie, Baron de, i. 315, 321, 334-336,
338.
Brown, Andrew, i. 184.
——,, George A., i. 287.
——, Dr. John, i. 172.
Bruce, Thomas, i. 169.
Brussels, i. 111, 127, 301.
Bryon, Isle de, i. 362.
Buckland, William, i. 293.
Buffalo, i. 481, 490, 491, 493) 494 496, 497;
500, 502-513, 517, 519, 522-524, 526-530,
5323 fi. 4-16, 21-28, 31, 33-37; 43) 49, 52
55-62, 66, 69, 71, 739 755 78, 85-94, 102,
104, 105, 107-114, 118-124, 127-132, 139-
146, 150, 151, 154-161, 164-167, 169, 174,
175, 181, 206, 227, 245, 294, 456, 457-
—— berries, ii. 160.
— Bluffs, ii. 154.
— Lick, ii. 278.
Buford County, ii. 27.
Bulow, John, ii. 333, 352+
Bunting, i. 357, 3873 ii. 408.
——, Arctic Towhee, ii. 7, 8.
—, Baird's, ii. 116.
——, Bay-winged, ii. 21.
——, Black-breasted Lark, ii. 105, 107.
—, Clay-colored, i, 477, 518.
Bunting, Cow, i. 216, 546.
——, Henslow’s, i. 477, 496; ii. 4.
—, Indigo, i. 245.
—, Lark, i. 486.
— , Rice, ii. 306.
——, Shattuck’s, i. 518. See also Ember-
iza shattuckii.
—, Snow, i. 352.
—, Towhee, i. 372, 471.
——,, White-crowned, i. 387, 391, 398, 399,
405.
Burgwin, Capt. J. H. K., i. 478-480; ii.
172,
Burnt Hills, ii. 167.
Burton, i. 142.
——, Dr. and Mrs. Edward, i. 293.
Bustard, Great, ii. 466.
Butte Quarré, ii. 157.
Buxton, i. 139.
Buzzard, i. 509; ii. 106, 107.
—, Turkey, i. 176, 180, 183, 187, 458,.
471, 483; ii. 7,75,168. See also Cathartes
aura,
CazanE Bluff, ii. 171.
Cabris, ii. 96, 113.
— Creek, i. 525.
Cainard, M., i. 320.
Calais, i. 304, 305, 340.
Calcarius ornatus, ii. 51.
“Caledonia” (steamer), i. 351.
California, i. 75.
Calvert, Mr., i. 260.
Calton, Thomas, i. 287,
Cam River, i. 286.
Cambridge, Eng., i. 216, 285, 286, 290, 292,
295.
Camden, N. J., i. 61; ii. 310.
Camel, ii. 400.
Cameron, i. 159, 173.
Campbell, Sir Archibald, ii. 387.
——, Ellen, i. 201.
—— (steamer), i. 70.
Camptolemus labradorius, i. 418.
Canachites canadensis, i. 352.
Canada, i. 71, 356, 492; ii. 416.
Canadians, French, i. 375, 401, 408.
Canfield, C. A., ii, 42.
Canis latrans, i. 483.
— lupus, i. 483.
— nubilus, i. 483.
Cannon Ball River, ii. 5, 158, 159.
Canoe Creek, ii. 238.
Canseau Cape, i. 351-353.
—, Strait of, i. 435.
INDEX
533
Canso. See Canseau.
Canterbury, i. 304.
Cape Breton Island, i. 353, 354.
—— Florida Songster, i. 88.
Caprimulgus, ii. 163.
Cariacus macrotis, i. 4&4.
Caribou, i. 378, 389, 403, 407-409, 432, 433}
ii. 394, 399, 400, 412, 418.
— flies, i. 4113 ii. 404.
Carleton, Lieut. James Henry, ii. 172, 173.
Carlisle, Eng., i. 141-144.
—, Penn., ii. 117.
Carolinas, ii. 445.
Carré, Charles, i. 52; ii. 249, 251, 253.
Carrier, Gen. Jean B., i. 10.
Carriére, Michel, ii. 136, 137.
Carroll Co., Mo., i. 462.
Cash Creek, i. 31; ii. 274.
Cat-bird, i. 219, 245, 470; ii. 7, 253.
Catchfly, i. 399.
Catfish, i. 282; ii. 213.
Cathartes aura, i. 458. See also Buzzard,
Turkey.
Catlin, George, i. 497, 4983 ii. 10, 15, 24,
27, 49, 96, 108, 180.
“Cavalier,” ii. 305.
Cavendish Square, i. 69.
Cedar birds, i. 475.
— Island, i. 505, 508; ii. 166, 167.
Centrocircus urophasianus, ii. 126,
Ceritronyx bairdii, ii, 117.
Cerré, M., i. 493, 494, 498.
Cervus macrotis, i. 484.
—— virginianus, ii. 473-
Chaffinch, i. 226.
Chamois, ii. 56, 153.
Champ de Mars, i. 326.
Chapel En-La-Frith, i. 136.
Charadrius, i. 423.
— semipalmatus, i. 386, 398, 412.
Charbonneau River, ii. 93, 98, 101.
Charbonniére River, ii. 175.
Chardon, Mr., i. 524, 526, 528, 529; ii. 11-
16, 22, 24, 38, 40-44, 475 50, 71-
Charing Cross, i. 303.
Chariton River, i. 462; ii. 174.
“Charity, Mr.,” i. 510, srr.
Charles I., i. 235, 236.
Charleston, S. C., i. 66-72; ii. 97, 347+
Charrette, F. A. de, i. 273.
Charwell River, i. 292.
Chastelleux, Marquis de, i. 270.
Chat, Yellow-breasted, i. 470, 504; ii. 7.
Chenopdduum album, ii. 14.
Chest.r, Eng., i. 249.
Chevalier, M., i. 410, 413.
Cheyenne River, i. 529; ii. 133, 136.
Chicha River, i. 527.
Chickadee, i. 400.
Chickasaw, ii. 260.
Children, John George, i. 252, 254, 257, 258,
264, 276, 277, 294, 301, 342.
Chillicothe, ii. 218.
Chippeway Indian, ii. 126, 127.
Chittenden, Capt. Hiram M., i. 479, 494.
Choctaw Indians, ii. 260.
Chorley, Henry, i. 269.
— John, i. 248, 249, 264, 269, 273, 276.
Chouans, i, 10.
Chouteau, Auguste, ii. 33.
—, Pierre, i. 452, 454, 463, 468, 499; ii.
33 35+
——, Madam Pierre, i. 468; ii. 173.
Chouteau’s River, i. 503.
Chuckmill’s Widow, i. 132.
Cincinnati, i. 36, 37, 48-50, 454; ii. 175,
250, 454-
Clancarty, Lord, i. 171, 183.
Clapham, i. 254.
Clarence, Duchess of, i. 259.
Claridge, Mr., ii. 436.
Clark, David, i. 46.
——,, Jonathan, i. 31.
——, Lady Mary, i. 187.
—, William, i. 31.
Clay, Henry, i. 126, 157, 272.
Clayton, John, i. 263.
Clementi, Muzio, i. 115.
Clifton, Lord, i. 257.
Clinton, De Witt, i. 120, 167, 192.
Clyde River, i. 266.
Cocks of the plain, ii. 126.
Cod, i. 357; ii. 419, 422-425.
Colaptes aurato-mexicanus, ii. 41.
—— ayresii, ii. 53.
——cafer, ii. 53. See also Woodpecker,
Red-shafted.
—— hybridus, ii. 41.
Cold Water River, ii. 260, 261.
Colinus virginianus, i. 457.
Collins, John, ii. 53, 57, 68, 70, 72, 76, 82,
86, 102, 124.
Colmesnil, Louis, i. 19.
“Columbia” (ship), i. 60, 342; ii, 56.
— College, i. 77.
— Fur Co., i. 499.
— River, i. 302.
Colymbus glacialis, i. 389, 392.
—septentrionalis, i. 390. See also Diver,
Red-throated.
534
INDEX
Combe, Andrew, i. 191, 207.
——,, George, i. 157, 160, 164, 166, 168, 188,
191, 204, 225.
Condolleot, M., i. 309, 316.
Connecticut, ii. 262.
Constant, M., i. 327.
Contopus richardsonii, i. 405, 406.
— virens, i. 406.
Coolidge, Capt., i. 350; ii. 432.
—— Joseph, i. 67, 68; companion in Labra-
dor, 345-420; 428, 436, 439.
Cooper, J. F., ii. 207.
— Co., Mo., i. 459.
Coot, i. 472, 532; ii. 7, 337.
——, White-winged, i. 418.
Cormorant, i. 157, 370, 384-386, 393-395,
4593 li. 337, 353 360, 361, 404, 433.
——, Double-crested, i. 398, 400.
—, Florida, i. 459.
Corn-shucking, ii. 463.
Cornwall, Eng., i. 142.
Corpus Christi, i. 288.
Couéron, i. 11.
Coues, Dr. Elliott, i. 29, 64, 402.
Cougar, i. 74; ii. 260-269, 374, 441, 478.
Council Bluffs, i. 475, 477, 478, 482.
Covent Garden Theatre, i, 253, 291, 315.
Cowbirds, i. 477, 481.
Craighlockhart, i. 164.
Crane, Sand-hill, i. 475; ii. 9, 95, E71, 174.
—— Whooping, i. 87.
Cree Indians, ii. 109, 123, 132.
Creeper, Black-and-White, i. 477.
——, Chestnut-sided, i. 471.
-—, Yellow-back, i. 471.
Crisp, Major, i. 516.
Croghan, Major, i. 30.
— family, ii. 200, 207,
Cross, Mr., i. 279--281.
Crossbills, i. 396, 400, 416, 433.
——, White-winged, i. 385, 412, 415, 431,
434.
Crow, i. 379, 385, 434) 471; 475) 476; ii. 36,
212, 323) 353; 503-
—— Blackbird, i. 477, 480, 481.
—, Carrion, i. 181, 183, 190, 352; ii. 240,
252.
——, Fish, ii. 170, 365.
—— Fort, ii. 50, 65, 178.
—— Indians, ii. 10, 33, 48, 54, 178, 180.
“ Crow-feather ’? (boat), i. 499.
Cruden, Alexander, i. 212.
Cruikshank, George, ii. 236.
Cuba, i. 88; ii. 306, 309.
Cuckoo, i. 180, 245.
Cuckoo, Black-billed, ii. 8.
Culbertson, Alexander, 1843, i. 528; ii. 29,
177; 182, 188.
—, Mrs, Alexander, ii. 81, 85, 88, 89, 111,
112, 121, 154, 157, 163.
Cumberland, i. 454.
— Isle, ii. 277.
— River, ii. 277.
Cummings, Capt. Samuel, i. 48, 49 ; ti. 175.
Curlew, i. 96, 176, 419, 423, 427, 428 ; ii. 63,
310, 350, 426.
» Esquimaux, i,
Numenius borealis.
——,, Labrador, i. 425.
——,, Long-billed, i. 489.
——, Rose-colored, ii. 364.
Curlew-berry, i. 423.
Currie, W. W., i. 269, 270.
Cushat, i. 338.
Cutting, Mr., i. 520, s21, 5245 ii. 37, 168.
Cuvier, Baron, i. 235, 294, 306-308, 312,
315-326, 331, 333, 334: 338, 3395 519, 522.
——, Baroness, i. 39, 319, 325.
—, Mlle., i. 309, 316-319, 324.
Cymochorea leucorrhoa, i. 396.
See also
420, 422.
Da CosTA, i, 19, 21-24, 26, 27, 39.
Dakota River, i. sor.
Dalmahoy Castle, i. 186, 192, 195.
Damelaphus hemionus, i. 484.
Darlington, i. 238.
Dauphine St., New Orleans, i. 49.
David, Jacques Louis, i. 24, 36, 39, 313,
324; Hi. 524, 527.
Davy, Messrs., i. 246.
Day, Capt. Robert, ii. 346, 371.
Dearman, Mr., i. 129.
Decatur, i. 485.
Deer, i. 182, 375, 378, 389, 407, 461, 473»
481, 482, 490, 493-496, 501, 502, 504, 5077
512, 516, 517, 527; ii. 8, 20, 23, 26, 35-42,
49-57; 65, 74, 75, 80, 92, 117, 126, 139,
154, 155, 158, 165-168, 174, 175, 205, 206,
222, 245, 261, 262, 266, 269, 270, 273,
300, 319, 324, 347, 350, 382, 383, 390,
396, 399; 400, 439, 441, 452, 457, 461, 468-
472, 481, 482.
——, Black-tailed, i. 516; ii. 57, 72, 74,
147, 165, 484.
ae White-tailed, ii. 65, 74, 75, 127,
176.
—— Mule, i. 484; ii. 167.
—, Virginia, i. 485; ii. 473.
Deer-hunting, ii. 466, 473.
INDEX
535
De Tabelay, Lord, i. 113.
Delano, Captain, i. 342.
“Delos” (ship), i. 81, 82, 85, 88; ii. 301,
306.
Denig, Edwin F., ii. 56, 72, 73, 77, 81, 85,
89, 133, 136, 1375 178, 180-183.
Dennysville, Me., i. 67, 345, 389, 401; ii.
384) 400.
Derby, i. 111, 129.
——, Earl of, i. 103, 105, 108-110, 116, 282,
2096.
Derbyshire, i. 122, 139.
Derwent River, i. 137, 138.
D’Essling, Prince, i. 312, 313.
Detaillé, Frangois, ii. 147.
Devonshire, Duke of, i. 137.
Dexter’s Lake, ii. 338.
Dickie, Mrs., i. 63, 145, 156,167, 174, 188,
201.
Didelphis virginiana, ii. yot.
D'Issy, i. 336.
Diver, ii. 403.
——, Black-necked, i. 387.
——, Great Northern, i. 389.
—,, Red-necked, i. 371, 387, 389, 398, 400,
432.
—, Red-throated, i. 390, 391, 393-
Dockray, Mr., i. 135, 136, 138.
Dodo, ii. 524.
Dog and Pheasants, i. 341.
Dog, Esquimaux, i. 408, 411; ii. 412.
—, Prairie, i. 531. See also Arctomys
ludovicianus.
Dolphin, i. 82-85, 88, 90, 91, 943 li. 302-307.
Don, David, i. 277.
Donkin, John, i. 236, 237, 262.
Dood, Major, i. 191.
D’Or, Cape, i. 444.
D’Orbigny, Charles, i. 39, 333-
Dorion. See Durion.
Douglass, Lady Isabella, i, 116, 171.
Dove, i. 88, 148, 247, 297, 5323 ii. 44, 64,
162, 163, 166, 253, 360.
Dover, i. 303, 304.
— Castle, i. 304.
Drake, Dr., i. 36, 48.
Dripps, Major Andrew, i. 499.
Drury Lane Theatre, i. 315.
Dublin, i. 216.
Duck, i. 86, 89, 359, 367, 394, 396, 419, 452,
454, 462, 476, 487, 494, 497, 502, 504; ii.
21, 39, 86, 95, 154, 155, 159, 167," 170,
171, 174, 1751 252, 347) 3531 419) 434, 447.
—-, Black, ii. 160.
——, Canvas-back, i. 452; ii. 503.
Duck, Dusky, i. 366.
—, Eider, i. 366, 371-3735 376, 379, 387,
393 394, 406; fi. 431.
——, Gadwall, i. 531; ii. 7, 107, 155+
——, Golden-eyed, i. 431.
—, Harlequin, i. 414.
—, King, i. 418.
——, Labrador, i. 418.
——, Long-tailed, i. 414.
——, Mallard, i. 476, 485; ii. 7, 112, 155,
w71.
—, Pied, i. 418.
—, Scoter, i. 366, 370, 371, 390.
—, Spoon-billed, ii. 4.
——, Summer, ii. 496.
——, Surf, i. 366.
——, Velvet, i. 359, 364, 414, 418.
——, Wild, i. 277; ii. 28, 350.
—., Wood, i. 472, 485; ii. 278.
Duddingston, i. 213.
Dumesnil, C., i. 315.
Dunbar, i. 225.
Duncan, Andrew, i. 146, 148, 151.
Dupuy Gaudeau, Gabriel, i. 14, 24.
Durack, John, £. 528.
Durham, Eng,, i. 328.
Durion, i. 525.
EAGLE, i. 113, 169, 182, 271, 352, 388, 415,
436, 458; ii. 156, 181, 353, 391, 441.
——,, Andean, i. 271.
——, Bald, i. 415, 458.
—, Golden, ii. 107, 157, 431.
—,, White-headed, i. 281, 282, 295, 297,
471, 476; ii. 8, 10, 131, 166, 176, 203,
215, 247.
Eagle and Lamb, i. 299, 341-
Eastham, i. 250.
Eastport, Me., i. 345, 349, 353» 355, 365,
366, 435, 4443 Hi. 4or, 419, 432, 437
Ebbett’s Island, ii. 165.
Ecole Militaire, i. 326.
Etiinburgh, i. 63, 69, 71, III, 143-150, 152,
155, 160, 179-181, 195, 196, 200, 201,
210, 214, 216, 219, 221, 223, 225, 230-
233, 243, 249, 253-256, 260, 264-266,
271, 287, 295.
Edinburgh Academy of Arts. See Academy
of Arts, Edinburgh,
Edinburgh Antiquarian Society. See Anti-
quarian Society, Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Review, i. 200, 201.
Edward, Prince, i. 442.
Edwardsville, i. 451, 454.
536
INDEX
Eel, i. 389.
Eel River, ii. 389, 393.
Egan, Pilot, ii. 312, 379.
Eggers, i. 405, 410.
Egleston, Thomas, i. 77.
Egret, Peale’s, ii. 361.
Elgin, Earl of, i. 169, 170, 171.
Elk, i. 481, 484, 485, 490, 492, 494, 504,
507, 522, §27, 532; ii. 8, 12, 19-27, 30,
36, 65, 123, 131, 132, 147, 154-157, 160—
163, 206, 319.
Elk-horns, i. 524, 526, 527, 529; ii. 170, 173.
Elk Point, ii. 169.
Elliot, Daniel G., i. 64, 77.
Emanuel Creek, i. 503.
Emberiza bairdii ii. 116.
—— Le Conteii, i. 510.
— orizivora, ii. 86.
— pallida, i. 496, 498, 517, 518; ii. 21.
— shattuckii, i. 68, 517, 518.
Emery, Capt., i. 67, 345-
“Emily Christian ” (steamboat), i. 457.
Empetrum nigrum, i. 423.
England, i. 58-60, 63, 67, 69, 70, 81, 91,
97, 113, 114, 128, 216, 228, 232, 240, 241,
245, 250, 251, 260, 261, 266, 270, 300,
34s 305, 309, 313, 317, 402, 430, 4373 lie
109, 301.
Entrée Bay, i. 354.
Epsom, i. 254.
Ereunetes pusillus, i. 425.
Esquimaux, ii. 402.
Europe, i. 94, 338; ii. 207, 527.
Evans, Roland, i. 41, 42.
Ewart, Miss, i. 148.
Exeter Exchange, i. 280.
Expedition of Lewis and Clark, i. 457,
as 482, 484, 488, 494; ii. 3, 10, 27, 47,
58.
FALco, i. 302.
—— auduboni, i. 385.
columbarius, i. 385, 399, 401. See
also Hawk, Pigeon.
gyrfalco obsoletus, i. 427.
— harlani, i. 57.
— islandicus, i. 427.
— Iabradoria, i. 427.
leucocephalus, i. 381.
—— temerarius, i. 385.
Falcon, i. 297, 302.
—, Labrador, i. 427.
——, Peregrine, i. 390, 391, 398, 399, 410,
428, 458, 471; ii. 156, 176, 306.
False River, ii. 260.
“ Fancy, The’’ (boat), ii. 435, 436.
Fatland Ford, i, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 42,
43, 226.
Fauna Americana, i. 460; ii. 473.
Featherstonehaugh, Mr., i. 257.
Felton, i. 228.
Fénelon, Frangois, Abbé, ii. 249.
Ferguson, Dr. ii. 200.
Fetter Lane, i. 285.
Fiesque, i. 308. :
Fifty Years in Both Hemispheres, Nolte’s
ll. 220,
Finch, i. 286, 357, 382, 420, 485; ii. 256, 306.
—, Arctic Ground, ii. 31.
——, Ground, i. 496; ii. 16.
—, Harris, i. 472, 475, 476, 481, 495, 496,
499; 500.
—, Lark, i. 509.
amas Lazuli, ii. 45 31, 355 37, 51; 56, 67; 79»
—, Lincoln's, i. 410, 470, 486, 498. See
also Fringilla lincolnii.
——.,, Mountain, i. 338.
—. Red-collared, ii. 51.
—, Savannah, i. 352, 353, 384, 385, 392,
414, 477.
——, White-crowned, i. 470, 499.
——,, White-throated, i. 499.
Fish River, ii. 5.
Fisher, Miers, i. 16, 17.
Fitzwilliam, Lord, i. 289.
Flamingo, ii. 360, 366.
Flat Lake, i. 162.
Flicker, ii. 41.
——., Red-shafted, ii. 42.
Flint, Mr., ii. 281, 282, 285, 286.
Florida, i. 66, 88, 92, 370, 397, 425; ii. 176,
253, 305, 306, 309, 332, 333) 345, 358, 364,
37 371, 378, 380, 418, 508.
aa Cape, ats 374
—, East, i. 423; il. 321, 327, 329-332, 352.
——, Keys, i. 90; ii. 313, 349, 358, 365.
—, South, ii. 365.
Florisson, i. 451.
Floyd, Serg. Charles, i. 488.
—— Memorial Association, i. 488.
Floyd’s Bluff, i. 489.
—— Creek, i. 488.
—— Grave, ii. 170.
Flycatcher, i. 90, 4343 ii. 526.
——, Arkansas, i. 506, 510, 529; ii. 56, 70,
86, 156.
——, Bluegray, i. 471, 476.
——, Bonaparte’s, i. 244.
——, Green blackcapped, i. 405, 421.
INDEX
537
Flycatcher, Hooded, i. 471.
——, Pewee, ii. 51, 248.
——, Red-eyed, i. 471.
—, Say’s, i. 504, 510, 5173 fi. 16, 51, 52,
67, 166.
——,, Small-crested, ii. 7.
—_, White-crested, i. 471.
Flying fish, ii. 302-305.
Fontenelle, Lucien, i. 499.
Foote, Maria, i. 107, 203, 205.
Fort Alexander, ii. 69, 113.
—— Berthold, i. 526.
—— Calhoun, i. 482.
—— Clark, ii. 10, 42, 57, 132, 146, 147.
—— Croghan, i. 478; ii. 171, 172.
— George, i. 519-521; ii. 165, 169.
—— Leavenworth, i. 468, 500; ii. 172, 173.
— Massacre, ii. 276, 506.
— McKenzie, ii. 127, 133, 178, 188, 189,
194; 195+
—— Mortimer, ii. 31, 53-55, 65, 68, 70, 72,
78, 86-88, 101, I11, 112, 123-128, 131,
147, 148.
—— Pierre, i. 499, 500, 502, 510, 513, 519;
520, 524, 528; il. 10, 11, 14, 96, 97, 147,
163, 167.
— Recovery, i. 512.
— Rice, ii. 5.
—— Union, ii. 19, 20, 23, 27, 29, 50, 54,57)
93, Tot, 106, 132, 137, 147, 154, 161, 165,
178, 180, 187, 191, 524, 528.
— Vermilion, i. 510; ii. 168.
Yates, ii. 6.
Four Bears (chief), ii. 157.
Fox, i. 375, 378, 408; ii. 102, 105, 166, 173,
415) 497) 503+
—, Black, i. 356, 357, 408.
—, Cross, i. 412; i 12.
—, Gray, ii. 147.
——, Kit. See Fox, Swift.
—, Prairie, ii. 12.
—, Red, i. 356, 357; ii. 76, 147.
—, Silver, i. 408.
——, Swift, ii. 11, 37,58, 116, 130, 131, 521.
—-, Dr. Charles, i. 155, 193.
—- Indians, i. 475.
— River, ii. 102, 106.
Fox-hunter, ii. 495.
France, i. 23, 24, 27, 39, 40, 66, 111, 130,
239, 283, 305, 307; 309 319, 315, 317) 325,
3333 ii. 412, 415.
Franconi, i. 319.
Frankfort, Kentucky, ii. 274, 460.
Frankland, Captain, ii. 432, 433.
Frascati, i. 320.
Fraser, James B., i. 217.
Fratercula arctica, i. 383.
Frederick, ii. 218.
Fredericton, ii. 387, 389.
French Creek, ii. 291.
—— Revolution, i. 308.
Frigate-bird, ii. 309.
Fringilla, i. 391.
—— acanthis linaria, i. 396.
—— harrisii, i. 470, 472, 4993 ii. 172, 415.
— linaria, i. 414.
— lincolnii, i. 68, 382, 385, 388, 470. See
also Finch, Lincoln’s.
—— leucophyrs, i. 398, 399.
— nivalis, i. 352.
—— querula, i. 472.
—— savanna, i. 399.
Frith of Forth, i. 145, 149, 223, 266.
Fuligula americana, i. 366. See also Duck,
Scoter.
— glaciales, i. 418.
—— histrionica, i. 414, 418.
Fulmar, i. 352.
Fundy, Bay of, i. 350, 438,449, 4433 ii. 431,
434-437.
Fur and Fish Company, i. 373, 375, 350.
Fur Company, American. See American
Fur Company.
GALLATIN, ALBERT, Mr. and Mrs., i. 253.
Gallinule, ii. 337, 365.
Galt, W. C., M.D., ii. 200.
Galveston, i. 70.
Gannet, i. 88, 157. 351) 352, 355, 358-363,
372; 377) 412, 4133 il. 419.
—, Brown, ii. 372.
—- Rocks, i. 359.
Gar-fish, ii. 480.
Garnier, Mr., ii. 247-254.
Gasconade River, i. 457; ii. 175.
Gaspé, Cape, i. 407.
Gates, Major, ii. 358.
Gauché (chief), ii. 133.
Gavia imber, i. 379.
—— lumme, i. 379.
Geomys, bursarius, i. 455, 463.
George, Cape, i. 353.
Street, Edinburgh, i, 145, 155-
Georgia, i. 32; ii. 445.
Gérard, Frangois, i. 324, 325, 330, 331-
German Ocean, i. 149, 264.
Gilpin’s Mills, i. 280.
Glasgow, Missouri, ii. 174.
Glasgow, Scotland, i. 179, 195, 216, 266,
267, 324, 460.
538
INDEX
Glasgow Hotel, i. 451.
“Gleaner, The’ (ship), i. 86-88.
Goat, ii. 154.
Goat-pen Creek, ii. 24.
Goddard, Rev. William, i. 102, 106, 341.
Godwit, ii. 176, 364, 365.
——, Tell-tale, i. 365, 373, 431, 433, 475+
Goldfinch, i. 475.
Goose, i. 359, 366, 370-373, 378, 411, 414,
452) 4551 4571 4721475) 477) 484, 485, 487,
489; 494, 502, 506, 531, 532; ti. 7, 8, 21,
24, 28, 125, 159, 168, 170-175, 447.
—, Canada, i. 418, 434.
—, Hutchins’, ii. 174.
—, Snow, i. 418.
—. White-fronted, i. 459.
—, Wild, i. 282, 353.
Gopher, i. 465, 470, 475; ii. 335.
——, Pocket, i. 455.
— Hills, i. 471, 481.
Gordon, Alexander, i. 98, 106, 249.
Goshawk, i. 473.
Grackle. See Grakle.
Graham, Robert, i. 162, 163.
Grakle, i. 297.
——,, Boat-tailed, ii. 252.
——, Rusty, ii. 49.
Grand Banks, i. 92.
— Falls, ii. 392.
—— Menan, i. 346, 350; ii. 431.
Prix, i. 332.
—~ River, i. 462, 531; ii. 174.
“Grand Town,”’ i. 506.
Grande Isle, ii. 190.
Grant, Mrs. Anne, i. 219.
Grasswrack, ii. 377.
Gray, John E., i. 3cz.
Great Bend, i. 468; ii. 165, 166.
—— Cedar Island, i. 512.
Egg Harbor, i. 61.
Great Egg Harbor, ii. 310.
Great Falls, ii. 189, 190.
—— Pine Swamp, i. 61, 453.
Great Pine Swamp, ii. 314.
Great Russell Street, London, i. 252, 275.
Grebe, i. 472, 532.
Green Bank, i. 107, 108, 111-116, 119, 120,
127-134, 160, 224-227, 238, 248, 269, 274,
293.
—— Lake, i. 440.
River, i. 53; ii. 242, 246, 277, 279, 461,
506, 507, 519.
Greenough, Horatio, i. 10,
Greenville, ii. 174,
Greenwood, Rev. Henry, i. 286.
Gregg, Helen, i. 135.
—, John, i. 158.
—,, Robert H., i. 124.
——, Samuel, i. 118, 121, 123, 126, 140,
167, 169, 175, 188, 247, 264, 270.
» Mrs. Samuel, i. 135, 283.
Greville, Robert Kaye, i. 192.
Griseo albus, i. 483.
Grosbeak, ii. 166, 400, 434.
——,, Black-headed, i. 523; ii. 50.
—, Blue, i. 510.
—, Cardinal, i. 471; ii. 253.
——, Evening, i. 523.
——, Rose-breasted, i. 477.
— Pine, i. 421, 431, 433.
Gros Ventres Indians, ii. 5, 16-18, 23-25, 48,
68, 132, 144, 156, 157, 164, 178, 188.
Ground-hog, i. 461, 471.
Grouse, i. 414, 451; ii. 66, 67, 88, 90, 95,
II4, 125, 206, 320, 340, 375, 376, 379
390-394, 398, 399, 403, 502.
—,, Canada, i. 352, 405.
——, Rock, i. 405.
—-, Ruffed, i. gor.
—, Sage, ii. 126.
——, Sharp-tailed, ii. 23, 26, 49, 54, 86, 87,
122, 163, 165, 166, 176.
——. Willow, i. 400, 405, 414, 4333 ii. 408.
—, Wilson’s, i. 376.
“Growler,” ii. 510, 512.
Guillemot, i. 355, 361-363, 377, 384, 386,
3933 li. 404, 407-412, 431.
» Black, i. 354, 355, 358.
—, Brindled, i. 372. i
——, Foolish, i. 351, 354, 362-364, 383.
Gulf Stream, i. 86.
Gulf Weed, i. 89.
Gull, i. 361, 363, 396, 399, 402-405, 414,
420, 421, 427, 472; ii. 166, 252, 364, 365,
403, 404, 410, 415, 427, 432, 433.
——, Black-headed, i. 477, 484, 493, 502,
504; 532+
——,, Great Black-backed, i. 352, 393, 394.
—, Herring, i. 350, 368. See a/so Larus
argentatus.
» Ring-billed, i. 398, 402.
—, Rose-breasted, ii. 309.
——, Silvery, i. 411.
“ Gulnare”” (ship), i. 376, 377, 379, 380-
384, 386, 391-395, 407, 421, 425.
Gwathway’s Hotel, i. 29.
Gyrfalcon, i. 427.
Haines, Reuben, i. 58.
Haliaétus leucocephalus, i. 415, 458.
INDEX
539
Halibut, ii. 419.
Halifax, i. 373, 413, 435) 439-442-
— Bay, i. 442.
—, Bishop of, i. 359.
— River, ii. 335, 374.
Hall, Basil, i. 175, 176, 179, 184, 187, 201-
203, 206, 209, 212, 214, 221, 253, 300,
301.
——, Mrs. Basil, i. 187, 188, 207, 219.
——, Caroline, i. 73.
——, Ellen, i, 265.
—, James, Edinburgh, i. 146, 171, 173.
——, James, New York, i. 449, 526.
Hamilton, Major, i. 519, 521.
——, Sir William, i. 225.
Hampstead, i. 297.
Hardwick, i. 138.
Hardwicke, Lord, i. 282.
Hare, i. 116, 135, 137, 268, 356, 386, 4or,
408, 432, 474, 4943 ii. 49, 51, 72, 76, 84,
111, 118, 121, 465, 502, 503.
——, Bachman’s, i. 461.
——, Prairie, i. 474, 510.
—, Townsend’s, i. 510, 529; ii. 22, 56, 60,
89, 118,138. See also Lepus townsendii.
——, White, i. 529.
Harelda hiemalis, i. 414.
“Harlan, Richard, i. 57, 65, 124, 247, 300; ii.
473, 501.
Harlem, ii. 175.
Harper’s Ferry, ii. 218.
Harpy, i. 271.
Harris, Edward, i. 56,57, 70, 73, 345, 441,
444, 45%, 453, 455, 458, 461; companion
on Missouri trip, i. 470-5313 ii. 7, 75-
Harrisburg. See Harrisonburg.
Harrisonburg, ii. 218.
Hartford, Eng,., i. 304.
Harvey, Primeau and Co., ii. 6.
Hatch, Capt. Joseph, i. 81, 85, 86; ii. 307,
307.
Havana, ii. 360.
Havell, Robert, i. 61, 257-260, 265, 275,
276, 278, 291, 294, 295, 299; 300, 316, 340—
345, 427-
Haw Creek, ii. 334.
Hawick, i. 143.
Hawk, i. 96, 139, 156, 388, 399) 423, 427,
428; ii. 27, 44, 67, 117, 404, 527+
—, Cooper's, i. 517.
—, Fish, i. 431, 4773 ii. 166, 247, 312,
337) 391-
—, Fork-tailed, i. 504.
— , Great-footed, i. 88.
—, Marsh, i. 444, 474, 496, 506.
Hawk, Pigeon, i. 365, 385, 396, 399, 431,
475; ii. 162. See also Falco columbarius.
——, Red-tailed, i. 394, 471; ii. 114.
——,, Sparrow, i. 428 ; ii. 7, 24.
——,, Swallow-tailed, i. 481.
—,, White-rumped, ii. 86, 87.
Hawk and Partridges, i. 269.
Hawkins, Oriel College, i. 292, 293.
Hays, Drummond, i. 197, 198, 203, 207,
211, 215, 219, 221, 222, 283.
Head Harbor Bay, ii. 433.
Healy, George P. A., i. 58.
Heart River, ii. 9.
Heath, Charles, i. 233.
Heath, George, i. 287, 290.
Heights of Abraham, i. 138.
Hell Gate, i. 200.
Henderson, Ky., i. 7, 21, 30-38, 44, 46, 47,
162, 480; ii, 203, 206-213, 215, 218-221,
238, 278, 462, 498.
Henley Harbor, i. 402.
Henry, Alexander, i. 497.
—-, Andrew, ii. 4.
——, Charles, M. D., i. 146, 156.
Henslow, John Stevens, i. 287, 290.
Herbe Sainte, ii. 39. if
Hermandez, General, ii. 352.
Hermann Bros., i. 253.
Heron, i. 113, 157, 3373 il. 313, 323, 354,
360, 364-366, 370, 378, 384, 526, 527.
——, Blue, i. 344) 471, 477, 49% 493) 5325
ii. 7.
——, Great Blue, i. 354.
——, Green, i. 87.
—, Night, ii. 364.
» Yellow-crowned, i. 481.
Herring, i. 357 ; ii. 305, 419.
Hibbert, Dr., i. 181.
Highland Creek, ii. 238.
— Lick, ii. 278.
— Lick Creek, ii. 278.
Highwater Creek, i. 525.
Hirundo bicolor, i. 472.
Hobart, William, i. 94.
Hodgson, Adam, i. 104-106, 108-111, 249.
—, Mary, i. 133.
Holland, Dr. Henry, i. 135.
Holyrood, i. 149-152.
Honda, Bay of, ii. 349.
Hondekoeter, Melchior, i. 204.
Hopkinsville, ii. 53.
Horsfield, i. 255.
Hotel Robart, i. 304.
Houlton, Me., ii. 389, 390.
Howe, Gen. William, i. 43.
540
INDEX
Hudson River, i. 77, 322, 353+
Hudson’s Bay, i. 417.
—— Bay Co. i. 365, 378; ii. 109.
Hull, i. 430.
Hulme, Dr., i. 119, 123, 140.
Humboldt, Alexander von, i. 108, 111.
Humming-bird, i. 402, 436, 4753 ii. 338.
Hunt, W. H., i. 105.
Hunter, Lady, i. 175, 179, 187, 195.
Ipts, i. 113, 273, 337, 338; 360, 364-367,
515.
—— alba, ii. 514, 515.
Tle 4 Vaches, i. 9.
Illingsworth, Mr., i. 520-524; ii. 165.
Illinois, i. 46, 451.
—— River, ii. 437.
Independence, i. 467.
— Landing, ii. 173.
Indian affairs, ii. 188.
—— Isle, ii. 312, 369, 379.
— Key, ii. 348, 358, 362.
— River, ii. 374.
Indians, i. 138, 148, 353) 373, 378, 379, 407,
411, 431-433) 456, 462, 467, 469, 477, 486,
488, 493, 496, 498, 507, 519, 520, 523, 528;
ii. 7, 10, 12, 17-23; 43-45, 48, 54, 77, 80,
81, 108-110, 117, 121, 122, 125, 128, 132,
133, 1351140, 143, 154-157, 164-168, 181-
185, 189, 191, 193, 194, 206, 213, 224~
229, 242-245, 296, 349, 349, 374s 395» 398,
434, 449, 455-458. See also names of
tribes.
Indigo-bird, i. 472, 476; ii. 37.
Ingalls, William, i. 67, 345, 356, 388, 389,
406, 412, 436, 437, 439-441} li. 403.
Inglis, Bishop, i. 442.
——, Sir Robert, i. 254, 255.
Innes, Gilbert, i. 170, 171.
Institut Frangais, i 1. 313, 322, 332.
Towa, i. 462, 478, 489.
—— Indians, i. 474, 475.
—— River, ii. 169.
Ipswich, i. 422, 423.
Treland, i. 96.
Tridoprocne bicolor, i. 472.
Irish Channel, i. 133.
——, Jediah, i. 453; ii. 315, 320.
Iron Bear (chief), ii. 157.
Irving, Washington, i. 456; ii. 3, 207.
, Washington, Astoria, i. 456, 486.
Trwell River, i. 121.
Isbet Hill, i. 235.
Isis River, i. 292.
Islington Road, i. 275.
Italian opera, i, 315.
Italians, i. 457.
Italy, i. 316.
JACKDAW, i. 137, 138, 229, 240, 289.
Jack-rabbit, i. 475.
Jacks River. See Jacques River.
Jackson, Gen. Andrew, i. 411.
—, Miss, i. 53.
Jacques River, i. 501;
Jager, i. 365 ; ii. 396.
— Pomarine, i. 420.
pomarinus.
Jail, Liverpool, i. 133.
James River, i. sor.
Jameson, Robert, i. 141, 146, 149, 150-156,
165, 172, 176-180, 187, 205, 210, 213,
236.
Jardin des Plantes, i. 306, 307, 332.
—— du Roi, i. 306, 312, 313, 320, 321, 332+
—, Royal, i. 308.
Jardine Hall, i. 161, 189.
——, Sir William, i. 152, 154, 160, 179,
183, 189-194, 268.
Jay, i. 385.
——,, Blue, i. 436, 476.
——,, Canada, i. 381, 433; ii. 391.
Jefferson City, i. 458 ; ii. 175.
Jeffrey, Francis, i, 151, 192, 200.
Jersey, Island of, i. 421.
Jestico Island, i. 353.
Johnson, Edward, i. 230.
——, Garrett, i. 63.
Jones, Mr., of Labrador, i. 414-418, 420.
Judd, Capt. U. S.N., ii. 289,
Juniata River, ii, 220.
Juniperus virginianus, i. 508,
ii, 168.
See also Lestris.
See also Lestris
KaLmIia angustifolia, i. 433.
—— glauca, i. 377.
Kansas, i. 459.
Katota Tokah, i. 525.
Kauman and Co., i. 22, 23.
Kayace, ii. 154.
Kelley, Dr., i. 392, 395.
Kemble, Charles, i. 291.
Kendal, i. 142.
Kennebunk, i. 81, 94.
Kensington Gardens, i. 296.
| Kentucky, i. 29, 32, 53, 46, 215, 280, 329,
419, 478; ii. 203, 208-215, 242-245, 277,
321, 331, 450-497, 506-509, 519.
Kentucky Barbecue, ti. 486.
Kentucky Barrens, ii. 234.
INDEX
54t
Kentucky River, ii. 460.
Kestrell, i. 137.
Key Tavernier, ii, 351.
—— West, ii. 348-351, 360, 37, 377, 380.
Kidd, John, M.D., i. 292, 293.
—, Joseph B., i. 65, 214, 215, 224, 254-
256.
Kiener, L. C., i. 313.
Killdeer, i. 99, 125; ii. 7.
King-bird, i. 471, 537; ii. 7, 70.
Kingfisher, i. 139, 261, 4333 ii. 391, 524,
525.
Kinglet, i. 381.
King’s College, i. 290.
Kinnoul, Earl of, i. 284.
Kipp, Mr., ii. 9, 10, 19, 26, 36, 50, 52, 65,
69, 97; 113, 146.
Kirkstall, Abbey, i. 157.
Kite, Mississippi, i. 88; ii. 306.
Kittiwake, i. 157, 362.
Knife River, ii. 24, 154.
Knox, John, M.D., i. 146, 152, 174, 175+
Knoxville, ii. 218.
La BarGE, Joseph, i. 479, 492, 495-
beled i, 67, 68, 344-4453 ii. 57, 79,
508.
Labrus auritus, ii. 519.
La Charette, ii. 8.
“Lady of the Green Mantle’? (boat), ii.
361, 371, 378.
La Fayette, Marquis de, i. 8, 111, 478.
La Fleur, ii. 105, 106, 108, 113, 115-119,
a 126, 131-133, 137) 139) 140, 142, 146,
176.
La Gerbetiére, i. 6, 10, 15, 23.
Lagopus albus, i. 405. See a/so Ptarmigan.
— rupestris, i. 405.
— Willow.
La Grande Riviére, i. 462.
Laidlaw, William, i. 499, 500, 501; ii. 131,
132, 165, 173.
La Main Gauche (chief), ii. 156.
Lambert, Aylmer Bourke, ii. 277.
Lancaster, ii. 218.
Landsdowne, Marquis of, i. 297.
Landseer, Sir Edwin, i. 210, 211.
Lapwing, i. 227, 236.
La Riviére Blanche, i. 512.
Lark, i. 134, 226, 235; ii. 426.
——,, Black-breasted Prairie, ii. 160.
—, Brown, i. 384, 391, 405. See also
Anthus spinoletta.
—, Chestnut-colored, i. 496.
—-, Finch, i. 525.
Lark, Meadow, i. 241, 506, 509, 510, 526;
ii. 26, 53, 67, 80, 165, 312.
—, Missouri, ii. 41.
—, Prairie, ii. 56, 67.
—, Shore, i. 384, 3945 400, 410, 412, 415,
417, 419, 425; ii. 57, 86, 88. See also
Alauda alpestris.
——, Sprague’s, ii. 42, 51, 53, 55, 88.
——, Wood, i, 284, 285, 291.
La Rochelle, i. 6, 333; ii. 220.
Larpenteur, Charles, ii. 41, 65, 68, 73, 77,
81, 124, 126, 138, 183.
Larus argentatus, i. 350, 368, 369.
—— argentatus smithsonianus, i. 368.
— canus, i. 402.
— delawarensis, i. 398, 402.
—— marinus, i. 352, 365-370, 373, 3751 377s
379% 383, 385, 387, 389, 402, 427. See
also Gull, Great Black-backed.
—— tridactylus, i. 375.
—— zonorhynchus, see Larus delawarensis.
Lasterie, Comte de, i. 321.
Latimer, Rev. James, i. 28.
La Vendée, i. 10.
Lawrence, Sir Thomas, i. 101, 252-256,
284, 291, 341.
“Lawyer,” ii. 313.
L’Eau Bourbeux, ii. 27.
— qui Court, i. 498, 503; ii. 168.
“ Lebanon” (boat), ii. 173, 174.
Le Boulet River, ii. 5.
Le Brun, Bernard, ii. 56, 57, 65, 132, 136,
137- .
L’école de musique, i. 325.
Leeds, i. 243-246, 258, 259, 264.
—— Natural History Society. See Natural
History Society of Leeds.
— Philosophical Hall, i. 260.
—— Public Library, i. 260,
Lehigh River, ii. 212, 317-319, 508.
Lehman, George, ii. 362.
Leicester, i. 129.
Leith, i, 149, 287.
Le Mangeur d’ Hommes (chief), ii. 121.
Lepus artemisia, ii. 49.
— campestris, i. 474, 510; ii. 19.
—— nuttalli, ii. 49.
—— sylvaticus, i. 461 ; ii. 49.
—— townsendii, i. 475; ii. 19.
Hare, Townsend’s.
—— virginianus, i. 474.
Leslie, John, i. 210.
Lesson, René Primevére, i. 309, 333-
Lestris, i. 352, 396, 414, 428. See also
Jager.
See also
542
INDEX
Lestris pomarinus, i. 420, 421, 434.
Le Sueur, Charles Alexandre, i. 58, 320,
321.
Levaillant, Frangois, i. 289, 301.
Levis, Duc de, i. 333.
Lewis and Clarke. See Expedition of Lewis
and Clark.
Lexington, Ky., ii. 174, 218.
Liberty Landing, ii. 173.
— St., New York, ii. 169,
Lincoln, Thomas, ii. 384.
—, Thomas, Jr., i. 67; companion in
Labrador, 345-439; 470.
Linnzan Society, London, i. 252, 282, 283,
2941 309) 34%
Linnzus, i. 322; ii. 519.
Linnet, i. 246, 414.
Lint, i. 426.
Little Chayenne River, i. 531.
— Knife River, ii. 24, 25.
— Medicine Creek, i. 520.
—— Missouri River, ii. 20, 26, 155, 156.
River, i. 350.
—— Sioux River, i. 484; ii. 171.
Live-Oakers, ii. 327.
Liverpool, i. 69, 81, 86-98, ro1, 102, 105,
108, 113, 114, 117, 118, 127, 132, 148, 161,
174, 177, 216, 221, 248, 250, 264, 268, 290,
295 ; ii. 301, 309, 505.
—— Atheneum, i. 270.
— Blind Asylum, i. 106, 272.
— Jail, i. 133.
—— Literary Society, i. 174.
— Philosophical Society, see Philosophi-
cal Society of Liverpool.
— , Royal Institute of, see Royal Institute
of Liverpool.
Lizard, Red-throated, i. 88; ii. 306.
Lizars, Daniel, i. 184, 185, 188, 265, 280.
—, William H.., i. 153-160, 163-169, 170-
179, 181-183, 186, 188, 191-194, 200, 204,
205, 211, 218, 225, 233, 255-257, 262-266,
292.
—, Mrs. William H.., i. 154, 155, 165, 166,
188, 193.
Lloyd, Charles, i. 118, 123, 124.
Loch Lomond, i. 209.
Loire River, i. 6, 8, 23, 39, 130+
London, i. 61, 63, 66, 69, 110, 128, 129, 135,
216, 219, 236, 248-259, 262~265, 274-280,
284, 285, 294, 296-299, 309, 311; 314, 315,
3251 334) 34%
— Atheneum, i. 253.
—, Linnzan Societyr. See Linnzan Soci-
ety, London.
Londonderry, Marquis of, i. 262.
Long, Major S. H., i. 37, 459.
Longspur, Chestnut-collared, ii. 51.
——, McCown’s, ii. 51.
Loon, i. 366, 389, 392-394) 431, 471; li. 434.
Lost One, The, ii. 331.
Loudon, John Claudius, i. 294, 295, 297.
Louis Philippe, i. 5.
Louisiana, i. 7, 49, 60-63, 77, 117, 130, 134,
182, 185, 239, 241, 261, 273, 301, 387,
492; ii. 220, 222, 267, 273, 301, 306, 508,
519.
Louisville, i. 28-33, 36, 38, 43, 471 53) 545
60-63, 66, 270, 450, 454, 486; ii. 199-
203, 218, 219, 222, 274, 279, 450, 454,
462, 486, 511.
L’Ours de Fer, ii. 164.
— qui danse, ii. 156.
Louvre, i. 308, 312, 325.
Loxia leucoptera, i. 385.
Lubec, i. 350.
Luxemburg, i. 324.
Lynx, i. 374, 3783 ii. 441.
Lyon, David, i. 291.
Lyons, Richard, M.D., i. 99, 164.
MacatinE Island, i. 392.
—, Little, Island, i. 396, 406.
McCullough, Dr., i. 436-438.
MacGillivray, William, i. 64, 65, 68.
—, William, British Birds, See British
Birds.
McKenzie, Kenneth, ii. 138, 181, 189.
——,, Owen, ii. 41, 49, 51, 56-64, 68, 72-
76, 80-97, 103, 113, 115, 118-128, 131,
138-143, 146, 176.
Mackerel, i. 3573 ii. 419, 430.
Mackinaw barge, i. 5113 ii. 35, 37, 38, 65,
154.
Macroura, i. 460.
Madison, Thomas C., i. 481.
Magdalene Islands, i. 354, 355, 359: 37%
431.
Magpie, i. 114, 134, 139, 338, 489, 523, 5325
fi. 58, 63, 131.
Maha Indians, i. 498 ; ii. 47. F
Maine, i. 66, 67, 354, 4443 ii. 51, 212, 295»
380, 381, 387, 389, 400, 401, 419, 508.
Mallory, Daniel, i. 48.
—, Georgiana R. See Audubon, Mrs.
Mamelles, ii. 116-118, 124.
Mammellaria vivipara, ii. 15.
Manatees, ii. 360.
INDEX
543
Manchester, i, 111, 116, 117, 120, 121, 125,
129, 133-135, 138-146, 156, 159, 162,
230, 246, 259, 260, 264, 268, 274, 275,
317.
Manchester Academy of Natural History,
i, 123, 134.
Manchester, Royal Institute. See Royal In-
stitute of Manchester.
Mandan Indians, i. 497; ii. 14, 18, 23, 42-
48, 144, 146, 156.
—— Village, ii. 8-ro, 15.
Mandeville, i. 5.
Mankizitah River, i. 512.
Manuel da Lisa, i. 503.
—— River, i. 503; ii. 168.
Maple-sugar Camp, ii. 506.
Maria River, ii. 134, 135, 189.
Marignac, M. de, i. 332.
Marigny, Marquis de Mandeville, i. 5, 6.
“Marion’? (boat), ii. 345-348, 358-361,
369, 372; 377+
—, Mo.,, ii. 175.
Marmot, i. 458, 461, 469, 472.
—, Prairie, i. 5313 ii. 4.
Mars Hill, ii. 390.
Marshall, John, i. 246.
Marsh-hen, ii. 311, 313.
Marten, i. 378, 401, 409; ii. 382.
Martin, i. 241, 375) 477, 506, 536; ii. 7.
—, John, i. 104.
——, Pine, ii. 400.
——, Purple, i. 472.
Mason, Major, i. 469.
Massachusetts, ii. 419.
Massena, Prince of, i. 313, 315.
Matanemheag River, ii, 393.
Matanzas, ii. 344.
Matlock, i, 129, 136-138.
Mauch Chunk, i, 62; ii. 314, 319-321.
Maupin family, ii. 200.
Maury, Mr., i. 101, 102, 139, 272.
Mauvaises Terres, ii. 101, 113, 127, 137,
143, 148-151, 190.
Maximilian, Prince of Wied, i. 471; ii. 7, 34.
Meadville, i. 58 ; ii. 289-293.
Medicine Horn, ii. roo.
— Knoll, i. 520.
—— Lodge, ii. 12.
Meduxmekeag Creek, ii. 392.
Medway River, i. 304.
Meetingford, i. 228.
Melly, A., i. 102, 115, 121, 134, 249, 313,
317.
Melospiza lincolni, i. 382, 470.
Mephitis americana, ii. 463.
Merganser, i. 89, 357.
——, Red-breasted, i. 354, 366, 370, 304,
406, 431.
Mergus serrator, i. 370.
ser, Red-breasted.
Mersey River, i. 98, 99, 112, 130, 132, 250.
Merula migratoria, i. 379. See also Robin.
Mexico, Gulf of, i. 70, 88, 94, 95, 303-307,
339+
Michaux, Jean Baptiste, i. 492-496, 507,
509, 511, 516; ii, 169, 170, 172, 174,
413.
Mic-mac Indians, i. 430; ii. 428.
Microtus riparius, i. 530.
Mill Grove, i. 10, 16, 17, 19, 22, 28, 32, 41—
43s 74) 75s 2463 ii. 523, 524.
Miller, Major, ii. 172.
Mine River, i. 459.
Minnetaree Indians, ii. 16, 18, 24.
Minniesland, i. 71, 73, 453; ii. 15.
Miramichi, i. 354.
Mississippi, ii. 445.
Mississippi River, i. 31, 44, 81, 219, 243,
282, 322, 329, 490, 492, 507} ii. 222-225,
232, 237, 238, 246-251, 260, 404, 437
4541 504, 509, 515+
Missouri, ii. 172.
——, Falls of, sor,
—— Indians, i. 475.
— River, i. 71, 72, 447, 453) 457) 459
475, 476, 482, 487, 492, 498, 503, 507
525, 526; il. 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 15, 20, 21,
24, 48, 53, 57, 72, 78, 89, 98, 104, 106,
109, 112, 176, 177, 180, 181, 189, 190,
219, 320, 322.
—— Trading Company, ii. 4.
Missouriopolis, i. 458.
Mitchell, Major, i. 479; ii. 47, 134.
—, David D., ii. 188.
Mitford, i. 226,
—, Capt., i, 227, 228, 230, 263.
— Castle, 227.
— Hall, i. 229.
Mocking-bird, i. 155, 193, 209,
252, 274, 330-
Moncrévier, Jean Baptiste, ii.
122, 126, 127, 128, 138, 146,
160, 162, 185.
Monongahela River, ii. 508.
Monroe, Mr., i. 110, 116-118, 164, 171,
174, 176, 248, 273.
Montagnais Indians, i. 376, 377, 411, 412+
Montgomery, General, i. 187.
Moorestown, i. 56.
Moose, ii. 154, 382.
See also Mergan-
245, 248,
105, 119,
157, 158,
544
INDEX
Moose Hunt, ii. 393.
Moreau River, i. 531, 160.
Morgantown, ii. 240.
Mormon arcticus, i. 383-386, 392, 426-428.
See also Puffin.
Moroe River. See Moreau River.
Morpeth, i. 227, 229.
Morristown, N. J., i. 16.
Morton, Countess of, i. 186, 196-202, 219,
222, 289.
, Earl of, i. 192, 195-199, 207, 219, 222.
—, Major, ii. 173.
——, Samuel George, i. 453.
Mother Carey’s Chickens, i. 85, 93.
Mount Desert Island, i. 372.
—— Pleasant, ii. 175.
—— Vesuvius, ii. 325.
Mouse, ii. 89, 465.
—, Field, i. 464.
—— River, ii. 121.
Moynette, Anne, i. 6.
Mud Island, i. 350.
Muddy River, i. 45 ; ii. 27.
Mule Keys, ii. 370, 371.
Muloé, i. 464.
Mulot, i. 464.
Murray, George, i. 123, 203, 205.
——, Mrs. George, i. 164, 183.
—, Isabella, i. 168.
—, James, ii. 33, 38.
——,, John, i. 213.
Murre Rocks, i. 412.
Mus leucopus, ii. 89.
Muscicapa, i. 434.
— Phoebe, i. 405.
Musée, frangais, i. 306, 307.
Musignano, Prince of, i. 186, 256; ii. 202,
385.
Muskrat, i. 484; ii. 54, 158, 382.
Musquash Lake, ii. 394.
NANTES, i. 8, 10, 14, 23, 39) 75, III, 140,
273.
Napoleon. See Bonaparte.
Nashville, Mo., ii. 175.
Nashville, Tenn., ii. 218.
Natasquan River, i. 365, 369, 370, 374+
——, Little, River, i. 380; ii. 414.
Natchez, i. 49, 52, 300; ii. 216, 441, 449,
450) 454+
Natchez in 1820, ii. 246.
Natchitochez, ii. 441.
Natural Bridge, ii, 218.
Natural History Society, Edinburgh, i. 212.
Natural History Society, Leeds, i. 247.
“Nautilus ” (boat), ii. 175.
Nebraska, i. 489.
Neill, Patrick, i. 148, 153, 157, 170, 176,
187, 217, 221.
Nelson, Lord, i. 148.
Nemours, Marquis de, i. 246.
Neotoma floridana, i. 511, 525.
Neville, Miss, i. 212, 217, 218, 253.
New Bedford, i. 23, 477.
New Brunswick, i. 66, 407, 4443 ii. 254,
387, 462.
—, Mo., ii. 174.
New England, i. 427; ii. 262.
New Jersey, i. 61; ii. 310.
New Madrid, ii. 237.
New Orleans, i. 6, 8, 29, 34, 37, 40, 46-51,
53> 59) 81, 86, 87, 96, 178, 284, 329; ii,
48, 202, 220, 232, 249-254, 301, 439, 447,
450-454, 505) 515.
New York, i. 15, 22-26, 29, 40, 60, 63, 69,
71, 177, 200, 277, 427, 445, 4533 i. 175,
215, 508.
New York Academy of Sciences, i. 77.
Newbold, Rev. William, i. 215, 222.
Newcastle, i. 216, 224, 229, 230-236, 238-
241, 260, 262, 437.
——, Literary Society, i. 234.
—,, Philosophical Society, i. 234.
Newfoundland, i. 9, 384, 415, 421, 429, 431,
435; ii. 416, 426.
Newgate, i. 254.
Niagara, ii, 286.
Nicholson, William, i. 175.
Nighthawk, ii. 163, 170, 226, 372.
Night-jar, i. 243.
Niobrara River, i. 503; ii. 168.
Nishnebottana River, ii. 172.
Noddy, i. 90; ii. 309, 347.
Nolte, Vincent, i. 99, 104; ii, 220, 221.
—, Fifty Years in both Hemispheres, ii,
220.
Nonpareil, ii. 255.
Norristown, ii. 524.
North Carolina, i. 69; ii. 174.
North, Christopher, i. 75.
Northampton, i. 274.
Northumberland, i. 225, 227.
— , Duke of, i. 228.
Notre Dame, i. 332.
Nova Scotia, i. 351, 353, 359 414, 435) 4393
ii. 431, 435+
Numenius borealis, i. 420, 422, 424.
—, hudsonicus, i. 420.
Nuthatch, i. 471.
INDEX
545
Nuthatch, Red-bellied, i. 384.
Nuttall Ornithological Club, i. 29,
——, Thomas, i. 277, 416, 445, 4723 ii. 56,
90, 163.
Oakes, William, i. 423.
C&demia, i. 366.
—- deglaudi, i. 418.
Ogden, Captain, ii. 453.
Ohio, ii. 241.
Ohio, ~ ii, 208.
Oh. Faus of, i. 543 ii.
—, kapids of, ii. 215.
River, i. 28, 30, 34, 62, 112, 182, 231,
322, 329, 450, 490; ii. 203-206, 208, 232,
238, 250, 274-277, 334, 437, 456-458,
477: 478, 486, 497, 510, 512, 519.
Old Bull’s Backfat (chief), ii. 178.
‘Old Jostle,’’ i. 426.
Old Squaw, i. 414.
Old Town, ii. 391, 392, 393-
Omaha Indians, i i, 169, 478, 485, 487, aa
—— River, ii. 170,
O'Meara, Barry Edward, M. D., 185.
“ Omega” (steamboat), i. 724 4551 4791 4921
493: 499s 507, 511, 528; ii. 10, 29.
Opelousas, ii. 301.
Opossum, ii. 85, 222, 223, 506.
Opossum, The, ii. 501.
Opposition Fort, ii. 37, 53.
Fur Company, ii. 17, 28, 31, 36, §4, 82,
147, 157; 168, 520.
Ord, George, i. 56, 189.
Oriel College, i. 292.
. Provost of, i. 293.
Oriole, i. 245.
, Baltimore, i, 329, 481.
, Orchard, i. 476.
Orléans, Duc d’, i. 321, 327, 330, 336-338,
340.
——, Duchesse d’, i. 332, 337, 338-
Ornithological Biography, i. 31, 63-65, 69,
276, 403, 457) 459) 4703 ii. 198, 201-203,
208, 246.
Ornithology, Bonaparte’s, i. 55.
Ornithorynchus paradoxus, i. 270.
Osage Indians, i. 44, 45, 48, 216, 291, 329.
— River, ii. 175.
Otocorys alpestris, i. 384.
Otter, i. 114, 120, 165, 173, 175, 176, 207,
342, 378, 389, 409, 4843 i. 4, 12, 54, 93,
95, 122, 161.
Ottoe Indians, i. 482.
Ouse River, i. 240, 242, 243.
VOL, I1.-——35
199) 453) 454+
Owl, i. 242, 243, 384, 392, 394; Hi. 97, 167,
270, 323, 364, 388, 493, 503) 507,527.
— , Barred, ii. 212, 404, 405.
——, Great Gray, i. 393, 394; ii. 390.
——, Great Horned, i. 132 ; ii. 97, 205.
Oxford, i, 129, 216, 252, 291, 292, 294.
Oyster Catcher, i. 391.
PaGE, Benjamin, i. 34.
—, J. W. H., i. 477, 526.
Painbeeuf, i. 23.
“Painter.” See Panther,
Palais Royal, i. 307, 318, 324, 327, 338.
Panthéon, i. 325.
Panther, i. 262, 263, 267.
Paris, i. 6, 66, 111, 127, 128, 295, 301, 303,
306-309, 312-316, 324-326, 331, 334, 336-
339-
Parker, Mr. (artist), i, 300, 303, 307-310,
316-322, 332, 335+
Parkman, George, M. D., i. 441; ii. 401.
Parocket Island, i. 425, 428.
Parrakeet, i. 468-470, 476, 477, 481, 507;
fi. 165, 173.
Parroquet, i, 291.
Parrot, i. 330.
Parry, Captain W. E,, i. 309.
Partridge, i. 116, 122, 156, 243, 274, 401,
423) 4571 47%) 475) 5073 li. 173) 253, 302+
— Bay, i. 371, 373-
Parus Hudsonicus, i. 400, 403, 433.
Passamaquoddy indian, ii. 394, 435.
Passerculus bairdi, ii. 117,
Pawling, David, i. 75.
Peale, Rembrandt, i. 55; ii. 203.
——, Titian R. i. 37.
Peale’s Museum, ii. 321.
Pears, Thomas, i. 33.
Peel, Sir Robert, i. 222.
Pelecanus americanus, i. 457.
— erythrorhynchus, i. 457.
— trathyrhynchus, i. 457.
Pelican, ii. 168, 171-173, 252, 349, 353, 360,
361, 374+
— Frigate, i. 87, 88, 304; ii. 364, 365, 372.
eer: White, i. 168, 457) 473, 476, 477. 484,
522, 529; ii. 168, 174.
Pennant, Thomas, ii. sor.
Pennsylvania, i, 10, 61; ii. 203, 212, 241,
320, 438.
Penobscot Indians, ii. 393.
— River, ii. 391-393.
Penrith, i. 142.
Pentland Hills, i. 219.
546
INDEX
Perceval, Spencer, i. 203.
Perch, White, ii. 214.
Percy, Mrs. Charles, i. 49, 52, 81.
——,, Marguerite, i. 52.
Perkiomen Creek, i. 10, 19, 20, 41, 42, 241.
Petit Caporal, i. 385.
Cété, i. 457.
Petrel, i. 88-90, 93-94, 366.
— Dusky, i. 89.
—— Stormy, i. 350.
Peucza lincolnii, i. 470.
Pewee, i. 471, 4763 ii. 67, 523, 526.
——. Crested, i. 471, 476.
——., Fly-catcher, i. 473.
—, Least, i. 500.
——, Short-legged, i. 405.
—, Western-wood, i. 405.
——, Wood, i. 373, 405, 406.
Phalacrocorax carbo, i. 370, 385.
—— dilophus, i. 370, 398, 400.
— dilophus floridanus, i. 459.
— floridanus, i. 370.
—— mexicanus, i. 459.
See also Cormorant.
Phalenoptilus nuttalli, ii. 163.
Phalarope, i. 87.
— , Northern, i. 419.
Phalaropus hyperboreus, i. 419.
Pheasant, i. 122-124, 135, 202, 205, 206, 209,
268; ii. 320.
Philadelphia, i. 16, 21, 26, 29, 32, 46, 55, 58,
63, 277, 453; lie 202, 203, 218, 219, 310,
314, 318, 321, 473, 508.
—— Academy of Natural Sciences, i. 55, 56,
90, 523.
Philosophical Society of Liverpool, i. 174.
Pheebe, Say’s, ii. 51.
Pica pica hudsonica, i. 480. See also Magpie.
Picardy, i. 305.
Piccadilly, i. 278, 303.
Picotte, Mr., i. 524~529.
Pictou, i. 435, 436.
Picus ayresii, ii. 41.
Piegan Indians, ii. 133-135, 188.
Piercy, Lieut., ii. 352.
Pigeon, Carrier, i. 301.
—— Creek, ii. 406.
—, Migratory, i. 423.
——,, Passenger, i. 423; ii. 156.
—— Roost, ii. 461.
—, Stock, i. 134, 167, 338.
——, White-headed, i. 88.
—, Wild, i. 141, 186, 212, 419, 473, 4753
ii. 160, 163, 309, 350, 527.
— Wood, i. 129, 164.
Pillet, Fabian, i. 134.
Pilot Knob, ii. 70.
Pinckney, ii. 175.
Pine Forest, ii. 241.
Pipilo arcticus, i. 502, 504.
Pirate, The, ii. 340.
Pitois, M., i. 339, 342.
Pittsburg, i. 28, 58, 62, 329, 4543 ii. 218,
219, 293, 438, 453.
Platibus, Duck-billed, i. 270.
Platte River, i. 469, 477; ii. 164, 172.
Pleasant Bay, i. 355.
Plectrophenax nivalis, i, 352.
Plover, ii. 64.
——, American Ring, i. 386, 387, 389. See
also Charadrius semipalmatus.
——, Black-breasted, i. 425.
—,, Golden, i. 434; ii. 166.
— Piping, i. 357, 358.
Plum Creek, i. 503.
Plymouth, i, 10, 14.
Pocano Mountains, ii. 508.
Point-Lepreaux, ii. 435.
Harbor, ii. 434.
Pokioke River, ii. 389.
Pole-cat, ii. 462.
Pomme blanche, i. 505.
Pomotis vulgaris, ii. 519.
Poncas Creek, i. 503.
— Island, i. 504; ii. 168.
—— River, i. 489; ii. 168.
Poncaras Indians, i. 438.
Ponchartrain Lake, i. 5.
Pont des Arts, i. 316, 321.
— dq’ Austerlitz, i. 306.
— de Jena, i. 326.
— Neuf, i. 307.
—— Ste. Genevidve, i. 306.
Poor-will, ii. 163.
Pope, Dr., i. 81, 211.
—, John, i. 30.
Porcher, Dr., ii. 352.
Porcupine, i. 408, 522; ii. 81, 82, 84, 113,
131, 147; 393+
—, Canadian, ii. 83.
—, Cape, i. 352.
Porpoise, i. 83, 84, 89, 96; ii. 308, 309.
~——,, Bottle-nosed, ii. 305.
Port Eau, i 419-421.
Portage, Baie de, i. 413.
Portland, i. 86.
Portobello, i, 213, 215.
Portsmouth, England, i. 60, 342.
Potowatamies, i. 481.
Prairie, The, i. 31.
INDEX
547
Presque Isle Harbor, ii. 289.
Preston, England, i. 141.
Primeau. See Harvey, Primeau and Co.
Primeau, Charles, ii. 6, 10, 15, 159.
Primrose Hill, i. 275.
Procellaria, i. 85, 372.
Carey’s Chickens.
—, Wilsonii, i. 350.
Provan, Dr., i. 52.
Provost (hunter), i. 477; ii. 16, 36-42, 49-
52, 54-57, 64-68, 70-76, 80-85, 89-91, 93-
95, 98-102, 108, 112, 113, 121, 122, 126,
128, 131-133, 137) 142, 146, 147, 156-163,
165, 169, 175.
Psaracolius cyanocephalus, ii. 48.
Pseudostoma bursarias, i. 455.
Rat, Pouched.
Psoralea esculenta, i. 505.
Ptarmigan, i. 366, 375, 389, 399, 392; 403,
428; ii. 415, 418.
—,, Small, i. 431.
—, Willow, i. 405.
Pueblo de Taos, i. 480.
Puffin, i. 383, 404, 410, 427.
mon arcticus.
Puncah. See Poncas.
Puncas. See Poncas.
Pusilla, i. 366.
Pyke, James, i. tor, 104.
See also Mother
See also
See also Mor-
Quadrupeds of North America, i. 70, 73,
751 78, 449) 453; 455+
Quaglas, Mr., i. 52.
Quarry Bank, i. 121, 122, 126, 134, 140, 141,
158, 247, 283.
Quebec, i. 71, 356, 376, 380, 408, 409, 411,
430; li. 416.
“Queen Bee,” i. 113, 114, 160.
Rathbone, Mrs. William,
Querquedula discors, i. 459.
Qui Court River, i. 503.
Quiscalus, brewerii, i. 474; ii. 48.
Quoddy, Maine, i. 436.
See also
Rassir, i. 258, 268, 386, 459, 461, 471, 472,
494 527) 5093 li. 50, 72, 79, 80, 83, 86,
102, 114, 122, 124, 125, 138-140, 155.
Rabin, i. 5.
Raccoon, ii. 85, 133, 168, 222-227, 270, 382,
478, 506.
Raccoon Hunt, A, ii. 492.
Radcliffe Library, i. 292.
Raffles, Lady, ii. 255.
Rafinesque, Constantine S., i. 480, 484.
Rail, Virginian, i. 492.
Rainbow Tavern, i. 172.
Ram Mountain, ii. 24, 26, 28, 40, 67, 86,
148, 152.
Rampart River, i. 531.
Randell, Maxon, ii. zgz.
Randolph, Judge John, i. 58, 127.
Rankin, Dr., i. 30, 32, 163, 218.
Rapacious Birds of Great Britain, Mac-
Gillivray, i. 165.
Rapid River, i. 503.
Rat, il. 335, 356, 432) 465-
——, Norway, i. qo.
—,, Pouched, i. 455, 463, 465.
Rathbone, Basil, i. 101.
——, Benson, i. 269.
——, Hannah [Anna], i. 108, 114, 134-136,
138, 234, 248, 269, 272.
—, Richard, i. 99-102, 129, 270.
—,, Mrs. Richard, i, 101-106, 168, 270.
— , William, Jr., i. G9, 104, 108, 109, 114,
122, 131, 132, 163, 248, 262, 268, 283.
——, Mrs. William, i. 113, 116, 131, 135,
136, 138, 141, 168, 186, 244, 248, 266,
274, 289, 263, 295. See also ‘‘ Queen
Bee.”*
— , Mrs. William, Jr., i. 108, 109.
— family, i. 75, 107, 111, 120, 121, 125,
127, 146, 175, 186, 248, 249, 264, 3133
ii. 221, 505.
Rathbone’s Flycatcher, i. 244.
Rattlesnake, i. 156, 211, 213, 297, 498.
“ Rattlesnake ” (boat), i. 25.
Raven, i. 353, 3551 379 385, 396-399, 404,
420, 434, 476, 484, 493 496, 509, 523, 5325
ii. 7, 28, 30, 36, 59, 80, 106, 107, 122, 168,
404, 424, 431, 441, 503.
Recurvirostra americana, i. 517.
Redouté, Pierre Joseph, i. 320, 321, 326-
330 332s 334, 338.
Redpolls, i. 298, 396, 414.
— ,, Lesser, i. 420.
Red River, i. 498; ii. 437, 441.
Red-fish, i. 499.
Redstart, American, i. 353, 471.
Redwing, i. 274.
Rees, Colonel, ii. 335-338.
Rees’ Lake, ii. 336, 337-
Regent’s Park, i. 277-279, 281, 285, 298.
Regulators, ii. 230, 231.
Regulators, The, ii. 232, 233.
Regulus calendula, i. 381.
Reindeer, i. 375, 4323 ii. 426, 428.
Reuben’s Creek, i. 520.
548
INDEX
Reynolds, William, M.D., i. 108,
Riccaree Indians, ii. 3, 5, 14, 15) 23) 42,43,
451 47, 43, 156.
Richardson, Major, i. 474.
—, John, i. 483; ii. 37.
Riddell, Sir James, i. 21g.
Rikaras. See Riccaree Indians.
Rikarees, See Riccaree Indians.
“Ripley” (ship), 1. 67, 345, 349, 352s 358,
364, 371, 3971 400, 417; 435, 439, 4443 ii.
405, 410, 417, 426, 427, 430.
Ritchie, Mr., i. 215, 468.
Riviére aux Couteaux, ii. 24.
Roanoke River, i. 322.
Robertson, Samuel, i. 410, 411.
Robin, i. 120, 245, 260, 269, 351, 353) 357»
379, 433» 4963 ii. 275, 434.
Rochambeau, Jean Baptiste, i. 8.
Rochefort, i. 10, 13, 24, 216.
Rocheport, Mo., ii. 174.
Rochester, Eng., i. 304.
—,N.Y.,i. 117.
Rocky Mts., i. 74, 467, 488, 501, 5233 ii. 20,
163, 192, 439.
—— Mts. fur trade, i. 499.
Roloje Creek, ii. 169.
Rook, i. 134, 137, 229, 240, 242, 286, 289,
338.
Roscoe, Edward, i. 102, 103, 110-112, 150,
249 “775
—, William, i. 99, 107-110, 113, 134, 226,
249, 272.
—, Mrs. William, i. 127.
—— family, i. 109, 114, 115, 116, 120, 127,
128, 146.
Rose, Mr., ii. 274-279.
Roses, Les, Redouté’s, i. 326.
Roslyn Castle, i. 168, 219, 221.
— Chapel, i. 220.
Rotterdam, i. 3o1.
Royal Academy, Edinburgh, i. 182, 183,
188,
-—— Academy, London, i. 341.
—— Institute, Edinburgh, i. 162, 209.
—— Institute, Liverpool, i. 104-107, 112,
115, 130, 132. 156, 248, 249.
—— Institute of Manchester, i. 247.
—— Oak, i. 436, 437.
Society of Edinburgh, i. 203, 207, 216,
225.
Society of London, i. 252, 257.
Rozier, Ferdinand, i. 24, 26, 28, 31, 40, 43,
44; ii. 222,
Rubus chamemorus, i. 432.
Rudder-fish, i. 84; ii. 302, 307, 398.
Runaway, The, ti. 270.
Running-water River, i. 498, 503.
Russell, Michael, i. 204, 206.
Russellville, ii. 218.
Rutland Arms, i. 136, 138.
— Cave, i. 138.
—,, Duke of, i. 314.
Rutter, Dr., i. 144, 273.
Ruy’s Island, i. 435.
SABINE, Sir Edward, i. 281.
Sable, 1. 375, 378, 401, 409; ii. 382.
——, Cape, i. 3515 ii. 367, 374.
—— d’Olhonne, i. 9.
Sac Indians, i. 474.
St. Albans, i. 298.
St. Andrew’s Church, Edinburgh, i. 155.
St. Andrew’s Day, i. 169.
St. Augustine, ii. 352, 353, 356, 358.
St. Charles, Mo., i. 457; ii. 175.
St. Clair, Mr., i. 185. '
St. Cloud, i. 309, 311.
St. Croix River, i. 443.
St. Francisville, i. 57, 62, S1.
St. Genevigve, i. 30, 31, 443 ii. 222, 230,
450.
St. George’s Bay, i. 429; ii. 426.
St. George’s Channel, i. 97.
St. Hilaire, Geoffroy de, i. 307, 312, 315,
317, 332+
—,, Isidore de, i. 312, 313, 318, 320.
St. John’s College, Cambridge, i. 286.
St. John’s River, i. 429, 444; ii. 254, 330-
332, 336-338, 389, 392, 393.
St. Fohn's River in Florida, ii. 353.
St. Joseph, i. 471.
St. Lawrence, Gulf of, i. 353, 428, 440.
St. Louis, i. 72, 449, 450, 454, 458-461,
463, 467, 478, 479, 490, 492, 496, 499, 501,
513) 5171 525, 526; li. 11, 29, 30, 37, 38,
64, 86, 132, 149, 169, 175, 181, 219, 225,
450
St. Mary’s Abbey, York, i. 239.
St. Mary’s Church, Cambridge, i. 290.
St. Nazaire, i. 24.
St. Nicholas Church, Newcastle, i. 231, 233.
St. Omer, i. 305.
St. Paul's Cathedral, i. 252.
St. Tammany Parish, i. 5.
Salamander, ii. 335.
Salmon, i. 375, 430.
—— River, i. 442.
Sandford, Major. i. 467.
Sandpiper, i. 366, 504; ii. 160.
INDEX
549
Sandpiper, Least, i. 425.
—,, Purple, i. 424.
—, Rock, See Sandpiper, Purple.
——-, Spotted; i. 353, 365, 4315 ti. 7, 162.
——,, Wilson’s, i, 366,
Sandy Island, ii. 364-367.
Santa Fé, i. 459, 467.
Santee Indians, i. 507, 516.
Santo Domingo, i. 5, 7-10.
Sapinot, G. L., i. 81.
Sarpy, Mr., i 455-457, 463) 477) 529
Saskatchewan River, ii. 109.
Saunders, Howard, i. 402.
Sauve qui peut, i. 341.
Savannah, i. 301.
Say, Thomas, i. 37, 459, 461, 472, 483, 502.
Sayornis phoebe, ii. sr.
“Scapegrace.” See Diver, Red-necked.
Schoodiac Lakes, ii. 393.
Schuylkill River, i. 10, 17, 41, 43, 241, 2713
ii. 519.
Scipio and the Bear, ii. 481.
Sciurus aberti, i. 70.
audubonii, i. 460, 476.
—— capistratus, i. 455.
— carolinensis, i. 470.
—— ludovicianus, i. 459, 476.
—— macrourus, i. 455, 459, 461, 472, 475.
—— magnicaudatus, i. 460.
—— niger, i. 455.
—— occidentalis, i. 460.
—— rubicaudatus, i. 460.
—— rufiventer, i. 460.
—— sayii, i, 460.
—— subauratus, i. 459.
Scolecophagus carolinus, ii. 48.
—— cyanocephalus, i. 474; ii. 48.
Scoter, White-winged, i. 418.
Scotland, i. 69, 143, 223, 224, 228, 238, 266,
267; ii. 33.
Scott, Anne, i. 177, 207, 217.
—— House, i. 454.
—, ees Walter, i. 97, 111, 143, 144, 146,
Aa 51, 1555 167, 169, 170, 182, 183,
(ort 216, 217, 237, 266.
Gah Society, of Arts, i. 209, 214, 216.
“Sea Parrot.” See Mormon.
Sea-cow, ii. 360.
Sea-eagle, ii. 312.
Sea-gull, ii. 312.
——., White-breasted, ii. 313.
Seal, i. 354, 404, 408, 410; ii. 414, 431, 481.
Seal-catcher, i. 408.
Seal-fishing, i. 357, 414+
Seal Island, i. 350.
Seal oil, i. 408.
——, Wild Turkey, i. 160.
Seboois Lake, ii. 392.
Sedgwick, Adam, i. 286-288,
Seine River, i. 307, 309, 310, 336.
Selby, Prideaux John, i. 18, 150-154, 179,
183, 189-193, 224, 227, 230, 262-264, 271,
283, 312.
| Selby family, i. 226, 227, 264.
Selkirk, Lord, i. 116, 144.
Seminole Indians, ii. 355, 356, 367.
Sergeant, E. W., i. 121, 247, 248, 259, 264,
274, 291.
Severn River, i. 250, 251.
Shark, i. 85, 430; ii. 304, 307.
——, Basking, 366.
Shattuck, George C., i. 67, 345, 37% 388,
3921 397s 420, 437) 439) 441, 517; li. 403.
Shawance, i. 34, 44, 45} ii. 238.
—— Indians, i. 148.
Sheeps-head, ii. 310, 313.
Shewash River, ii. 5.
Shippingport, i. 29, 38, 47, 53-55, 270; ii.
203, 206, 215, 221, 454.
Shrewsbury, Eng., i. 249-251.
Shrike, ii. 97.
, Loggerhead, ii. 122.
Sick-e-chi-choo, ii. 154.
‘Siffleurs.”” See Marmots.
Silver Hills, ii. 199.
Siméon, Vicomte, i. 334, 336, 339-
Simmons, Dr., ii. 352.
Sioux City, i. 488.
—— Indians, i. 481, 489, 494, 498, 502, 508,
a 5255 ii. 25, 47, 68, 70, 133, 154, 164,
169.
—— Pictout River, i. 484.
Sire, Joseph A., i. 452, 454, 479, 499, 520,
528 ; ii. 19, 27.
Siskin, i. 357, 377, 4145 ii. 417.
Sismondi, Jean C, L., i. 107, 108.
Six-trees (camp), i. 5193 fi. 165.
Skene, W. F., i. 170, 171, 175, 186.
Skinner, John Stuart, ii, 221.
Skunk, i. 476.
Skylark, i. 215 ; ii. 51.
Small-pox, ii. 48.
Smet, Father P. J. de, i. 467, 468.
Smith, Lieut. Constantine, ii, 352.
—, Gideon B., i. 453, 476; ii. 29, 173.
——, Sydney, i. 215-217, 233.
Smyth, William, i. 126.
Snipe, i. 57.
—,, Solitary, i. 475.
Snow-bird, i, 384.
500
INDEX
Snyders, Francis, i. 175.
Society of Natural History, Boston, i. 58.
Soldier River, ii. 171.
Somerset House, i. 342.
South Carolina, i. 69.
South Dakota, i. 489.
Spanish Fort, ii. 249.
“Spark”? (boat), ii. 352-355.
Sparr Point, i. 410.
Sparrow, Chipping, i. 481.
—, Field, i. 481.
—,, Fox-colored, i. 372, 402.
—, Fox-tailed, i. 357, 410.
— , Lincolnii, i. 431.
——, Song, i. 353, 391.
——, Swamp, i. 382, 391, 420.
—_, White-crowned, i. 379-381, 384, 391,
410, 414.
—, White-throated, i. 352, 379, 391, 399,
405.
Sparrow-hawk, i. 506; ii. 50.
Spence, Dr, William, i. 217.
Spermophile, ii. 27, 51.
— , Federation, ii. 37.
Spermophilus hoodii, ii. 37, 124, 138, 140.
—— tridecem-lineatus, ii. 37.
tridecem-pallidus, ii. 37.
Spizella brewerii, i. 517, 518.
“Split Cape,’’ i. 444.
Sprague, Isaac, i. 73; assistant on Missouri
River trip, i. 453-5313 li. 4-173, 183.
Spreading Water, i. 503.
Spring Garden, ii. 333.
Spring Garden Creek, ii. 336, 338.
Square Hills, ii. 9.
Squatters of Labrador, i. 415.
Sguatters of Labrador, ii. 443.
Squires, Lewis, i. 73, 453; secretary on
Missouri River trip, i- 461-528; ii. g-
173, 182.
Squirrel, i. 468, 507; ii. 212, 323, 404, 459-
463, 496. 502, 503.
—, Abert’s, i. 70.
—,, Black, i. 472, 475, 476.
——, Catesby’s Black, i. 455.
—, Flying, i. gor.
—"! Fox, i. 455.
—— Gray, i. 457-459, 469, 470, 473, 4753
ii. 173, 175.
——, Ground, ii. 27, 51.
—, Long-tailed, ii. 170, 174.
— Red, i. 4335 il. 433.
——, Western Fox, i. 459, 476.
Stanford, Lord, i. 122, 123, 135.
Stanley, Lord. Sze Derby, Earl of.
Starling, i. 229, 241, 246, 274, 278, 481.
——, Red-winged, i. 480; ii. go.
Stateford, i. 164.
Steen (or Stein), Mr., i. 52.
Stercorarius pomarinus, i. 420.
Sterna fosteri, i. 368.
havelli, i. 61. ~
—— hirundo, i. 357, 368, 370, 380.
— regia, i. 402.
— shegrava, i. 402.
Stewart, Dugald, i. 166.
Stockport, i. 136.
Stokoe, Baron, M.D., i. 185.
Stow, i. 170.
Strobel, Benjamin, M.D., 348, 378.
Stuart, Sir William, i. 468.
Sturnella neglecta, i. 506, 510.
Sublette, William, and Co., ii. 69, 132.
Sula bassana, i. 359.
Sullivan's Bridge, i. 43.
Sully, Robert, 1. 276, 285.
——, Thomas, i. 55, 57, 109, 192, 252, 271,
300.
Sun Perch, The, ii. 515.
Sussex, Duke of, i. 377.
Swainson, William, i. 57, 64, 295-300, 303,
306-309, 312, 313, 316, 320, 325, 332,
341, 405, 477+
—, Mrs. William, i. 299, 300, 306, 312,
313-
Swallow, i. 141 ; ii. 253.
—, Bank, i. 350, 358, 381, 431, 485.
——, Barn, i. 472, 508; ii. 7.
——, Chimney, i. 353.
—, Cliff, i. 487, 494 ; ii. 16, 66, 176.
——, Greenbacked, i. 472, 477, 484.
——,, House, i. 358, 431; ii. 16, 167.
——, Martin, i. 433.
——, Republican, i. 431.
——, Rough-winged, i. 471, 477, 508; ii. 7.
——, White-bellied, i. 472.
Swan, i. 141, 310, 471, 494; ii. 5, 19, 21,
140, 154, 157, 159, 171, 222, 223.
Swift, i. 471.
“ Swiftsure ’? (boat), ii. 431, 432.
Sword-fish, i. 88.
Sylvia parus, ii. 316.
roscoe, i. 301.
—— striata, i. 399.
Sylvicola [Dendroeca] maculosa, i. 498.
Syme, John, i. 157, 165, 173, 176, 205,
TACHYCINATA bicolor, i. 472.
Tah-Tah, ii. 154.
INDEX
551
Talbot, Isham, i. 36.
Tamias, ii. 27, 31.
quadrivittatus, ii. 154.
Tanager, Red, i. 471.
Tarascon family, i. 29, 47, 48, 543 ii. 200.
Tarascon’s Mills, ii. 215.
Tawapatee Bottom, i. 31, 207; ii. 222, 224.
Taylor, Mr., ii. 168.
—, James I., i. 120.
—, John, D.D., i. 139.
Teal, Blue-winged, i. 459, 471, 472; ii. 167,
176, 206.
——, Green-winged, ii. 176.
Temminck, C. T., i. 235, 275, 380.
Tennessee, i. 32, 329.
Tern, i. 368, 428, 432; ii. 313, 364, 372+
—, Arctic, i. 369, 372; 377; 380, 389.
—, Black, i. 493; ii. 39.
——,, Caspian, i. 402.
——, Cayenne, i. 368, 402, 433.
——, Foster's, i. 368.
——,, Great, i. 357, 368, 433, 434
-——, Havell’s, i. 61.
— , Sooty, i. 87.
Teton River, i. 525-527.
Tetrao canadensis, i. 352, 414.
——- [Bonasa] umbellus, i. 461.
—— umbellus, i. gor.
Texas, i. 70, 74, 75-
Thalassidroma, i. 396.
“Thalia”? (boat), i. go.
Thames River, i. 304.
Théatre frangais, i. 308.
Thomas, William, i. 16, 19.
—, Mrs. William, i. 27.
Thompson’s Creek, i. 162.
Thomson, Anthony Todd, i. 146, 148, 155.
——, Thomas, i. 222.
Thrasaétos harpyia, i. 271.
Thrush, i. 134, 226, 242, 272, 357; ii. 7.
——, Black, i. 269.
——, Ferruginous, i. 471.
— ., Golden-crowned, i. 462, 471.
—, Hermit, i. 350, 357-
—, Red, i. 245, 516; ii. 7.
—, Tawny, i. 353, 357, 406.
——, Water, i. 470, 476. See also Turdus
aquaticus.
——, Wilson’s Water, i, 301.
——, Wood, i. 193, 209, 242, 339: 471, 476,
496 ; ii. 316.
Thruston, Mr., ii. 358, 363.
“ Tinkers.” See Alca torda.
Titian, Vecellio, i. 196.
Titlark, ii. 166.
Titlark, Brown, i. 399.
Titmouse, i. 477; ii. 117.
—, Black-headed, i. 400, 431.
——,, Canada, i. 431, 433.
——, Hudson’s Bay, i. 400.
Tittenhanger Green, i. 298, 300, 301.
Todd, John, i. 111.
——,, Thomas, i. 111.
Toledo, General, i. 32.
Tomlinson, Mr., i. 115.
Tongue River, i. 503.
Tortugas, ii. 309, 346, 371-374.
Totanus macularius, i. 353, 365.
Townsend, J. K., i. 4723 ii. 56.
Trade Water River, ii. 278.
Traill, Thomas S., i. 107, 111, 112,115, 116,
120, 127-129, 146, 163, 175, 248, 249,
269, 295-
“ Trapper’? (steamboat), i. 524-528; ii. 10,
124.
Travers Lake, ii. 146.
Trenton, i. 16.
Tringa, i. 366, 423, 431-
—— [Acto-dromas] minutilla, i. 366.
arquatella maritima, i. 424.
—— maritima, i. 424.
—— minutilla, i. 366.
pusilla, i. 368, 425.
Trinidad, i. 167, 1€8.
Trinity, Illinois, i. 53, 1493 ii. 274, 275.
— Chapel, Cambridge, i. 290.
—-— Church Cemetery, i. 77.
College, Cambridge, i. 286.
Troglodytes bewickii, i. 302.
ludovicianus, i. 302.
Trollope, Mrs. Frances, i. 440.
Troupial, Yellow-headed, i. 478, 480, 481,
485, 495-
Trudeau, Dr., i. 464.
Truro, i. 438.
Tuileries, Jardins de, i. 312, 314, 326, 334,
338.
Turdus aquaticus, i, 301.
Water.
—— migratorius, i. 373.
Turkey, Wild, i. 100, 115, 131, 141, 156,
159, 161, 163, 173-176, 180, 191, 194, 203,
243, 451, 454, 458, 461, 468-471, 473, 475,
481, 482, 485, 487-490, 495; ii. 168-170,
174, 206, 214, 217, 220-224, 248, 276, 320,
329, 33%, 3551 447) 452, 459, 487, 503,
507.
Turner, Rev. William, i. 239, 240, 264.
Turtle, ii. 360-363, 373-380.
—, Green, ii. 373-380.
See also Thrush,
552
INDEX
Turtle, Hawk-billed, ii. 347, 373, 374, 377+
——., Loggerhead, ii. 373-378.
—,, Trunk, ii. 373, 374) 377+
Turtlers, The, ri. 371.
Tuskar Rock, i. 97.
Twizel House, i. 225, 268, 293.
Tyne River, i. 230, 231, 233-236.
Tyrannula richardsonii, i. 405.
Tyrolese Singers, i. 272.
“UNION ”’ (boat), ii. 139, 146.
United States, i. 329, 413, 422, 436; ii. 187,
188, 194, 225, 230, 508.
United States Congress, i. 272, 275, 278.
University of Cambridge, i. 288.
University of Edinburgh, i. 146, 177.
Upper Knife River, ii. 24.
Uria grylle, i. 354, 389.
—— ringvia, i. 372.
—— troile, i, 351, 354, 366, 371, 372, 413,
428.
Urinator imber, i. 389.
lumme, i. 389, 390.
VAcueEr, Baron, i. 334, 336.
Valenciennes achille, i. 307, 325, 330-
Valéry, M., i. 325, 326.
Valley Forge, i. 10, 41, 43.
Vanconnah Swamp, ii. 260.
Van Praét, Joseph Basile, i. 314.
Vaux, James, i. 43.
Veras, Colonel, i. 468.
Vermilion River, i. 489, 490, 494; ii. 168.
Versailles, i. 316, 317.
Vespertilio subulatus, i. 502.
Vestris, Madam, i. 253.
Viarme, Place de, Nantes, i. 273.
Viellot, Frangois, i. 301, 472.
Vigors, Nicholas Aylward, i. 255-257, 281,
282, 294, 296, 303.
Vincennes, ii. 498.
Vireo, i 473, 497+
— bellii, i. 473.
——, Bell’s, i. 473, 500.
— Warbling, i. 475.
—.,, White-eyed, i. 475.
Virginia, ii. 51, 218, 232, 244, 444, 455+
Virginians, i. 40; ii. 242, 457, 478.
Vivien, Admiral, i. 13.
Voltaire, Frangois, M.A., i. 322.
Vulpes fulvus macrourus, ii. 76.
—— macrourus, ii. 12, 76.
—, Utah, ii. 12, 76. See also Fox, Red.
Vultur atratus, i, 181.
Vulture, i. 113, 352, 394, 415, 4583 ii. 210,
246-249, 252, 304, 418, 468.
WacrTAIL, i. 248.
Wales, i. 97, 105, 259.
Walker, Sir Patrick, i. 159.
Wallaghasquegantook Lake, ii. 392.
Waller, Sir Walter, i. 258.
Wananri River, i. 503.
Wansbeck River, i. 229.
Wapiti, i. 484.
“War Eagle” (boat), i. 499.
Warbler, i. 87, 88, 242, 357, 379, 382; ii.
310, 426, 355.
——, Black and Yellow, i. 498.
——, Blackburnian, i. 485.
——,, Black-capped, i. 357, 397, 369; 410,
421.
—, Black-poll, i. 379, 381, 399-
——, Blue-eyed, i. 471.
——, Blue-winged, i. 471.
——,, Blue Yellow-eyed, i. 431.
—, Cerulean, i. 462, 471.
——, Children’s, i, 275.
—, Cuvier’s, i. 275.
——.,, Hemlock, ii. 316.
——-, Kentucky, i. 471, 473.
—, Mourning, i. 475.
—, Nashville, i. 471.
——., Pale, i. 481.
——., Red-breasted, i. 134.
—, Vigor’s, i. 275.
— , Yellow, i. 481.
—,, Yellow-rumped, i. 405, 470, 484.
——,, Yellow-winged, i. 405.
Ward, J. F., i. 284.
Washinga Sabba. See Blackbird (chief),
Washington, D. C., i. 63, 69.
——,, George, i. 10, 43, 478.
—, Miss., i. 52.
—, Mo., ii. 175.
—, Penn., i. 52.
Wassataquoik River, ii. 392.
Waterloo Hotel. i. 169.
Waterloo Place, i. 253.
Waterton, Charles, i. 56, 158, 169.
Watson, i. 469.
Weak-fish, ii. 312.
Wear River, i. 238.
Webster, J. W., i. 441.
Weiss, Charles N., i, 166, 167, 172, 177.
Wells, Maine, i. 94.
Wernerian Society, Edinburgh, i. 146, 152,
174, 176, 180, 186, 202, 205, 211, 213,217.
West, Benjamin, i. 207.
INDEX
553
West Indies, i. 28.
—— Point, i. 480.
Weterhoo River, i. 531.
Wetherill, John Macomb, i. 43.
—, Samuel, i. 32, 41.
—, W.H., i. 41, 43.
Whale, i. 94, 96.
Whapatigan, ii. 404.
Wheeling, Virginia, i. 450, 454; ii. 218.
Whewell, William, i. 286-290.
Whip-poor-will, i. 242, 245, 471, 4733 ii.
163, 164, 170.
‘White Cloud "’ (boat), i. 499.
White Cow (chief), ii. 72.
— Earth River, i. 512; ii. 25, 133.
—- Head Island, ii. 431, 432.
— Horse Inn, i. 285.
— Paint Creek, i. 509.
White Perch, The, ii. 509.
White River, i. 512; ii. 25, 167.
Whitestone River, i. 494.
Wied, Prince of, i. 525 ; ii. 323.
Wilberforce, William, i. 293.
Wilcomb, Captain, i. 422, 428.
Wild Cat, i. 494, 504; ii. 166, 400, 413.
Wild Horse, A, ii. 215.
Willet, i. 472.
Williams, W. H., i. 265, 292.
Wilson, Alexander, i. 29, 65, 108, 128, 261,
292, 298, 312, 385 ; ii. 200, 201, 203.
7 James, i. 64; 157, 179+
— , John, i. 160, 161, 176, 180, 200, 203,
217, 266.
Wimpole Street, London, i. 69.
Winchester, ii. 218.
Windsor, Nova Scotia, i. 442, 443; ii. 435.
— Castle, i. 291.
— River, i. 443.
Witham, Henry, i. 173, 174, 224.
“ Wizard’? (boat), i, 422, 428.
Wolf, i. 365, 378, 392, 403, 408, 409, 458,
483, 485) 491-495, 499, 504, 508-511, 517-
521, 5231 525) 529-5325 Me 4) 7, 9) 19) 20;
22-28, 30-33, 36, 37) 40-42, 49, 52, 54,
57-61, 64, 70, 72, 74-76, 80-85, 87-89, 92,
93) 102, 104, 106, 110-117, 121, 124, 127,
130, 142, 148, 154, 156-159, 163, 166-169,
171, 176, 184, 223, 267, 278, 374, 405, 424,
461, 468-471, 492, 497-500.
—, American, i. 483.
—, Buffalo, i. 483.
— , Gray, ii. 35-38.
——, Prairie, i. 481, 483, 494; ii. 160, 171.
—-, Timber, i. 483.
——, Whits, i. 501; ii. 40, 67.
Wolf Island, ii. 323.
— pit, ii. 499.
Wood, George W.., i. 119.
Woodchuck, i. 458.
Woodcock, i. 494, 495.
Woodcroft, i. 129, 132, 168, 248, 270.
Wood-duck, ii. 168, 174, 384.
Woodpecker, i. 331, 339, 401, 462, 470,
500; ii. 496.
——, Downy, i. 418.
——, Golden-winged, i. 433, 471; ii. 41, 42.
——, Green, i. 310.
—, Hairy, i. 431.
—, Ivory-billed, ii. 379.
—,, Pileated, ii. 170, 476.
——, Red-bellied, i. 471.
—, Red-cheeked, ii. 53, 138.
—, Red-headed, i. 471, 508; ii. 7.
——, Red-patched, ii. 51.
——., Red-shafted, i. 510, 532; ii. 7, 8, 24,
53, 65, 67, 72, 167.
—, Three-toed, i. 371, 418.
——, Variegated, i. 286.
Woodtuff’s Lake, ii. 338.
Wood’s Bluffs, i. 485.
Hills, i. 486.
Woodstock, i. 252; ii. 389, 392.
Woodville, i. 58.
Wreckers, ii. 246, 249, 351-
Wreckers of Florida, ii. 345.
Wren, i. 272.
——., Golden-crested, i. 434.
——, House, i. 471, 475, 477) 496, 504; ii. 7.
—, Marsh, i. 476.
—, Rock, ii. 97, 117, 122, 138, 159.
——,, Ruby-crowned, i. 381, 385, 402.
—, Short-billed Marsh, ii. 90, 107.
—, Winter, i. 357, 4103; ii. 433.
Wrexham, i, 250.
YANKTON River, i. 501.
Yazoo River, ii. 260,
Yellow-bird, Summer, ii. 7.
Yellow-legs, ii. 176.
Yellow-shanks, i. 475.
Yellow-throat, Maryland, i. 431, 471; ii. 7.
Yellowstone River, i. 56, 451, 453, 529; ii.
4, 9, 16, 18, 28, 29, 37, 48, 53: 57) 65;
69, 89, 96, 98-ro1, 104, 114, 125, 126,
180,
York, i. 238, 240, 242, 243, 260, 268, 284,
285.
— Minster, i. 239, 242.
554 INDEX
| Zonotrichia querula, i. 472.
York museum, i. 240.
| Zodlogical gardens, i, 271, 281, 300, 302,
—— Philosophical Society, i. 242.
Yucca, ii. 165. 341.
Zovlogical Fournal, London, i. 303.
Zodlogical Society of London, i. 257, 282,
284, 2973 ii. 505.
ZANESVILLE, ii, 218,
Zostera Marina, ii. 377.
Zonotrichia, i. 391.
THE FACSIMILES OF THE DIPLOMAS WHICH FOLLOW ARE TAKEN
FROM A FEW OF THE VERY MANY WHICH AUDUBON RE-
CEIVED FROM THE SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES OF EUROPE AND
AMERICA. UNFORTUNATELY, AMONG THE MANY WHICH THE
REPEATED FIRES HAVE DESTROYED WAS THAT OF THE
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. THE LETTER ANNOUNCING
TO AUDUBON HIS ELECTION TO THAT CELEBRATED SOCIETY,
THE HIGHEST HONOR HE RECEIVED, IS THEREFORE SUB-
STITUTED, WITH THE SIGNATURE OF SIR (FORMERLY CAP-
TAIN) EDWARD SABINE, THE ARCTIC EXPLORER.
THE DIPLOMAS GIVEN ARE:
La Société Linnéenne de Paris. 6 Novembre, 1823.
Lyceum of Natural History, New York. January 13, 1824.
Société d’Histoire Naturelle de Paris. 5 Decembre, 1828.
American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts.
November Io, 1830.
Royal Society of Edinburgh. March 5, 1831. ™ 4
Royal Jennerian Society, London. July 15, 1836.
Literary and Historical Society of Quebec. November 19,
1836.
Western Academy of Natural Sciences, St. Louis, Mo.
April 17, 1843.
Natural History Society of Montreal. March 29, 1847.
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