INTRODUCTION. 23 



by atmospheric phenomena alone ; and hence we find that their ap- 

 pearance is frequently a concomitant of the approaching season, 

 and the wild Petrel of the ocean is not the only harbinger of storm 

 and coming change. The currents of the air, in those which make 

 extensive voyages, are sedulously employed ; and hence, at certain 

 seasons, when they are usually in motion, we find their arrival or 

 departure accelerated by a favorable direction of the winds. That 

 birds also should be able to derive advantage in their journeys from 

 the acuteness of their vision, is not more wonderful, than the ca- 

 pacity of a dog to discover the path of his master, for many miles 

 in succession, by the mere scent of his steps. It is said, indeed, in 

 corroboration of this conjecture, that the Passenger or Carry inor 

 Pigeon, is not certain to return to the place from whence it is 

 brought, unless it be conveyed in an open wicker basket, admitting 

 a viev*^ of the passing scenery. Many of our birds, however, follow 

 instinctively the great valleys and river courses, wliich tend towards 

 tlieir southern or warmer destination ; thus the great valleys of the 

 Connecticut, the Hudson, the Delaware, the Susquehannah, the 

 Santee, and more particularly the vast Mississippi, are often, in 

 part, the leading routes of our migrating birds. But, in fact, mys- 

 terious as is the voyage and departure of our birds, like those of 

 all other countries where they remove at all, the destination of many 

 is rendered certain, as soon as we visit the southern parts of the 

 Union, or the adjoining countries of Mexico, to which they have 

 retired for the winter ; for now, where they were nearly or wholly 

 imknown in summer, they throng by thousands, and flit before our 

 path like the showering leaves of autumn. It is curious to observe 

 the pertinacity of this adventurous instinct in those, more truly and 

 exclusively insectivorous species, which wholly leave us for the 

 mild and genial regions of the tropics. Many penetrate to their 

 destination through Mexico over land ; to these the whole journey 

 is merely an amusing and varied feast ; but to a much smaller num- 

 ber, who keep too far toward the sea-coast, and enter the ocean-bound 

 peninsula of Florida, a more arduous aerial voyage is presented ; 

 the wide ocean must be crossed, by the young and inexperienced, 

 as well as the old and venturous, before they arrive either at the 

 tropical continent, or its scattered islands. When the wind proves 

 propitious, however, o\ir little voyagers wing their unerring way 

 like prosperous fairies; but, baffled by storms and contrary gales, 

 they often suffer from want, and at times, like the Quails, become 

 victims to the devouring waves. On such unfortunate occasions, 



