AUDUBON JOURNAL 



[attempts at seeing and killing then] pursuits — they 

 remain here untill Late in September. I suppose them 

 at this time so occupied in search of food for their 

 young that it has put an end to their Crying — Many 

 of the Planters think that this bird has the Power and 

 Judment of removing its eggs when discovered some- 

 times several hundred yards — these are usually laid on 

 the bare earth under a Small bush or by the side of a 

 Log- 

 Saw 3 of these birds on the 20*^ of August one 

 Evening while I was Watching the arrival of some 

 Wood Ibisses — they flew Lightly in the manner of the 

 Night Hawk but Close to the Cotton plant tops, pass- 

 ing & repassing by me untill I could see No more — 

 Not one of this Birds have I heard since Early in 

 June— 



On the 22^* a beautifull femelle of this Bird was 

 brought to me by M-" Perrie's Overseer who had Shot 

 it the preceding evening on a Small dead Tree, Where 

 the Chuck Will's Widow had taken a stand to Watch 

 Beatles & Seiz*^ on them as they passed by, he saw it 

 raise several times and Catch them in the Manner 

 that Mocking Birds often do While enchanting the 

 observer of his Melodies — this Man's Wife had seen 

 it for Several evenings previous at the same Spot and 

 sport — These Birds differ Much in plumage particu- 

 larly in being darker or Lighter as they are Older or 

 younger, this had [several] Many Winter eggs; very 



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