The next morning was delightful. The gentle sea-breeze glided over
the flowery isle, the horizon was clear, and all was silent save the long
breakers that rushed over the distant reefs. As we were proceeding towards
some Keys, seldom visited by men, the sun rose from the bosom of
the waters with a burst of glory that flashed on my soul the idea of that
power which called into existence so magnificent an object. The moon,
thin and pale, as if ashamed to shew her feeble light, concealed herself
in the dim west. The surface of the waters shone in its tremulous
smoothness, and the deep blue of the clear heavens was pure as the world
that lies beyond them. The Heron heavily flew towards the land, like
the glutton retiring at day-break, with well-lined paunch, from the house
of some wealthy patron of good cheer. The Night Heron and the Owl,
fearful of day, with hurried flight sought safety in the recesses of the
deepest swamps; while the Gulls and Terns, ever cheerful, gambolled
over the water, exulting in the prospect of abundance. I also exulted in
hope, my whole frame seemed to expand ; and our sturdy crew shewed,
by their merry faces, that nature had charms for them too. How much
of beauty and joy is lost to them who never view the rising sun, and of
whose waking existence the best half is nocturnal!
Twenty miles our men had to row before we reached " Sandy Island
and as on its level shores we all leaped, we plainly saw the southernmost
cape of the Floridas. The flocks of birds that covered the shelly
beaches, and those hovering over head, so astonished us that we could for
a while scarcely believe our eyes. The first volley procured a supply of
food sufficient for two days' consumption. Such tales, you have already
been told, are well enough at a distance from the place to which they
refer; but you will doubtless be still more surprised when I tell you that
our first fire among a crowd of the Great Godwits laid prostrate sixty-five
of these birds. Rose-coloured Curlews stalked gracefully beneath the mangroves
; Purple Herons rose at almost every step we took, and each cactus
supported the nest of a White Ibis. The air was darkened by whistling
wings, while, on the waters, floated Gallinules and other interesting birds.
We formed a kind of shed with sticks and grass, the sailor cook commenced
his labours, and ere long we supplied the deficiencies of our fatigued
frames. The business of the day over, we secured ourselves from insects
by means of musquito-nets, and were lulled to rest by the cacklings of
the beautiful Purple Gallinules!
In the morning we arose from our sandy beds, and
THE AMERICAN CROW.
CORVUS A ME RICA N US.
P L A T E C L V I . MALE.
THE Crow is an extremely shy bird, having found familiarity with
man no way to his advantage. He is also cunning—at least he is so called,
because he takes care of himself and his brood. The state of anxiety,
I may say of terror, in which he is constantly kept, would be enough to
spoil the temper of any creature. Almost every person has an antipathy
to him, and scarcely one of his race would be left in the land, did he not
employ all his ingenuity, and take advantage of all his experience, in
counteracting the evil machinations of his enemies. I think I see him
perched on the highest branch of a tree, watching every object around.
He observes a man on horseback travelling towards him ; he marks his
movements in silence. No gun does the rider carry,—no, that is clear;
but perhaps he has pistols in the holsters of his saddle !—of that the
Crow is not quite sure, as he cannot either see them or " smell powder.1''
He beats the points of his wings, jerks his tail once or twice, bows his head,
and merrily sounds the joy which he feels at the moment. Another man
he spies walking across the field towards his stand, but he has only a stick.
Yonder comes a boy shouldering a musket loaded with large shot for the
express purpose of killing crows ! The bird immediately sounds an alarm ;
he repeats his cries, increasing their vehemence the nearer his enemy advances.
All the crows within half a mile round are seen flying off, each
repeating the well known notes of the trusty watchman, who, just as the
young gunner is about to take aim, betakes himself to flight. But alas,
he chances unwittingly to pass over a sportsman, whose dexterity is greater
; the mischievous prowler aims his piece, fires;—down towards the
earth broken-winged, falls the luckless bird in an instant. " It is nothing
but a crow," quoth the sportsman, who proceeds in search of game, and
leaves the poor creature to die in the most excruciating agonies.
Wherever within the Union the laws encourage the destruction of
this species, it is shot in great numbers for the sake of the premium offered
for each crow's head. You will perhaps be surprised, reader, when
I tell you that in one single State, in the course of a season, 40,000 were