2G RED-BELLIED NUTHATCH.
The general form is short and compact. Feet rather strong, the hind toe
stout, with a strong hooked claw; the claws arched, compressed, acute.
Plumage soft, blended, with little gloss. Wings rather short, broad,
the second and third primaries longest. Tail short, broad, even, of twelve
rounded feathers.
Bill black. Iris brown. Feet and claws flesh-coloured, tinged with
yellowish-green. The general colour of the plumage above is a light
leaden-grey, beneath pale brownish-red. The top of the head is bluishblack.
A long white line passes over the eye; a broader line of black
from the bill to the eye, and beyond it down the neck; the throat white.
Primary quills dusky margined with greyish-blue; tail-feathers blackish,
the two middle ones of the general colour of the back ; the lateral ones
white towards the end.
Length 4 | inches; extent of wings 8 ; bill along the ridge T
5
g ; gapline
Tv
Adult Female. Plate CV. Fig, %
There is scarcely any perceptible external difference between the sexes,
the lower parts of the female being merely a little paler, and the black of
the head not so deep.
( 27 )
T H E RUNAWAY.
NEVER shall I forget the impression made on my mind by the rencontre
which forms the subject of this article, and I even doubt if the relation
of it will not excite in that of my reader emotions of varied character.
Late in the afternoon of one of those sultry days which render the
atmosphere of the Louisiana swamps pregnant with baneful effluvia, I
directed my course towards my distant home, laden with a pack consisting
of five or six Wood Ibises, and a heavy gun, the weight of which,
even in those days when my natural powers were unimpaired, prevented
me from moving with much speed. Reaching the banks of a miry bayou,
only a few yards in breadth, but of which I could not ascertain the depth,
on account of the muddiness of its waters, I thought it might be dangerous
to wade through it with my burden ; for which reason, throwing to
the opposite side each of my heavy birds in succession, together with my
gun, powder-flask, and shot-bag, and drawing my hunting-knife from its
scabbard, to defend myself, if need should be, against alligators, I entered
the water, followed by my faithful dog. As I advanced carefully and
slowly, " Plato" swam around me, enjoying the refreshing influence of
the liquid element that cooled his fatigued and heated frame. The water
deepened, as did the mire of its bed; but with a stroke or two I gained
the shore.
Scarcely had I stood erect on the opposite bank, when my dog ran to
me, exhibiting marks of terror, his eyes seeming ready to burst from their
sockets, and his mouth grinning with the expression of hatred, while his
feelings found vent in a stifled growl. Thinking that all this was produced
by the scent of a wolf or bear, I stooped to take up my gun, when
a stentorial voice commanded me to " stand still, or die !" Such a " qui
vive" in these woods was as unexpected as it was rare. I instantly raised
and cocked my gun; and although I did not yet perceive the individual
who had thus issued so peremptory a mandate, I felt determined to combat
with him for the free passage of the grounds. Presently a tall firmlvbuilt
Negro emerged from the bushy underwood, where, until that moment,
he must have been crouched, and in a louder voice repeated his
injunction. Had I pressed a trigger, his life would have instantly ter