208 STcctch of the Life of Mr. David Douglas. 



The Spring of 1827 was severe, and mucli snow had fallen. 

 The consequence was that many horses died at Fort Vancouver, 

 and we were visited by the various species of beasts and birds of 

 prey that abound in that country. Most conspicuous among 

 these were the California vulture. This magnate of the air 

 was ever hovering around, wheeling in successive circles for 

 a time, then changing the wing as if wishing to describe 

 the figure 8 ; the ends of the pinions, when near enough 

 to be seen, having a bend waving upwards, all his move- 

 ments, whether of soaring or floating ascending or descending, were 

 lines of beauty. In flight he is the most majestic bird I have seen. 

 One morning a large specimen was brought into our square, and 

 we had all a hearty laugh at the eagerness with which the Bo- 

 tanist pounced upon it. In a very short time he had it almost in 

 his embraces fathoming its stretch of wings, which not being able 

 to compass, a measure was brought, and he found it full nine fee* 

 from tip to tip. This satisfied him, and the bird was carefully 

 transferred to his studio for the purpose of being stufi"ed. In all 

 that pertained to nature and science he was a perfect enthusiast. 

 It has been frequently matter of surprise how quickly these 

 birds collect when a large animal dies. None may be seen in any 

 direction, but in a few minutes after a horse or other large animal 

 gives up the ghost they may be descried like specks in the aether, 

 nearing by circles to the prey, when as yet one would not suppose 

 the effluvia from the carcase had reached above a hundred yards. 

 This renders it probable that their sight as well as sense of smell- 

 ing is very acute, bnt that the latter can guide them entirely with- 

 out aid from the other, I am certain, as I have started them from 

 carrion within the edge of a forest under bushes which must have 

 precluded the possibility of their seeing the carcase before they 

 alighted on it. 



March of 1827 arrived, and we were obliged to part with our 

 agreeable companion. On the 20th of that month he left us to 

 proceed to England by traversing the Rocky mountains in Lat. 54o 

 in company with the Hudson's Bay party, which was accustomed 

 to cross annually to York factory with Spring despatches. 



(jTo he Continued,^ 



