30 IN THE DAYS OF AUDUBON 



filled my brains with many plans. I not infrequently 

 dreamed that I had made a new discovery; and long before 

 day one morning I leaped out of bed fully persuaded that 

 I had attained my object. I ordered a horse to be saddled, 

 mounted, and went of! at a gallop toward 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 open shop, inquired for wires 

 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 break- 

 fast, 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 me a piece of board of soft wood. When he re- 

 turned he found me filing sharp points to some pieces of 

 wire, and I proceeded to show him what I meant to do. I 

 pierced the body of the fishing bird, and fixed it on the 

 board; another wire passed above his upper mandible held 

 the head in a pretty fair attitude, smaller ones fixed the feet 

 according to my notions, and even common pins came to my 

 assistance. The last wire proved a delightful elevator to the 

 bird's tail, and at last there stood before me the real king- 

 fisher. 



" Think not that my lack of breakfast was at all in my 

 way. No, indeed! I outlined the bird, aided by compasses 



