3IO AUDUBON 



GREAT EGG HARBOR 



Some years ago, after having spent the spring in ob- 

 serving the habits of the migratory Wai'blers and other 

 land birds, which arrived in vast numbers in the 

 vicinity of Camden in New Jersey, I prepared to visit 

 the sea shores of that State, for the purpose of making 

 myself acquainted with their feathered inhabitants. June 

 had commenced, the weather was pleasant, and the coun- 

 try seemed to smile in the prospect of bright days and 

 gentle gales. Fishermen-gunners passed daily between 

 Philadelphia and the various small seaports, with Jersey 

 wagons, laden with fish, fowls, and other provisions, or 

 with such articles as were required by the families of 

 those hardy boatmen ; and I bargained with one of them 

 to take myself and my baggage to Great Egg Harbor. 



One afternoon, about sunset, the vehicle halted at my 

 lodgings, and the conductor intimated that he was anx- 

 ious to proceed as quickly as possible. A trunk, a 

 couple of guns, and such other articles as are found ne- 

 cessary by persons whose pursuits are similar to mine, 

 were immediately thrust into the wagon, and were fol- 

 lowed by their owner. The conductor whistled to his 

 steeds, and off we went at a round pace over the loose 

 and deep sand that in almost every part of this State forms 

 the basis of the roads. After a while we overtook a whole 

 caravan of similar vehicles, moving in the same direction, 

 and when we got near them our horses slackened their 

 pace to a regular walk, the driver leaped from his seat, I 

 followed his example, and we presently found ourselves 

 in the midst of a group of merry wagoners, relating their 

 adventures of the week, it being now Saturday night. 

 One gave intimation of the number of "Sheep-heads" he 

 had taken to town, another spoke of the Curlews which 

 yet remained on the sands, and a third boasted of having 



