1867] 209 [Annual Report. 



May 1st, 1863, shows his determined spirit, and to what an 

 extremity his indisposition had brought him. He writes : — 



" I am as nearly dead as a man can be without stopping his breath. 

 I have not touched a morsel of food for seventy-two hours ; and for 

 the week previous did not eat more than three ounces a day. I can 

 not at times drink a mouthful of cold water without suffering excru- 

 ciating pain. I am so weak that I can hardly stand, but I have to 

 work all the time. If I don't get better shortly I shall leave and let 

 everything go." 



After the establishment of peace in this country, he visited 

 Europe once more, accompanied by his family, whom he left 

 there after a few months, returning to this country en route 

 of another ornithological excursion to the warmer latitudes 

 of North America. Again he crossed to Europe, and again 

 returned to Boston towards the close of 1866. He sailed 

 for Porto Rico, December 1st, and arrived there on the 9th, 

 intending to proceed to St. Thomas, but which he was de- 

 terred from doing by the reports of the prevalence of cholera 

 and yellow fever in that island. He remained, therefore, at 

 Porto Rico, and on the 28th of January, 1867, after travelling 

 in the island, he reached Utuado. On the 29th he shot for an 

 hour or two in the afternoon in this mountainous region with- 

 out fatigue and slept well. On the 30tli he was taken sick 

 with Avhat he regarded as rheumatism, suffering' excruciatina: 

 pain in his back and limbs. According to the statement of his 

 companion, his pain was such as to compel him to leave the 

 house and walk the street to relieve his intolerable restless- 

 ness ; a circumstance which indicates that his suffering must 

 have been very great, as he had, on ordinary occasions, an 

 uncommon power of endurance and self-control. A large 

 dose of opium quieted him at last, and he passed a com- 

 fortable night. On the 1st of February, finding that his 

 symptoms Avere no better, he determined to go to Araceibo, 

 a distance of twenty-five miles, on horsebacl^. His pain was 

 excessive, but at ten o'clock he and his companion mounted 

 their horses and rode until one. Although suffering in- 

 tensely, with characteristic energy he dismounted at a 

 bridge at one o'clock for the purpose of shooting some 

 swallows which were flying over the river, and fired twice. 



PROCEEDINGO B. S. N. H.— VOL. XI. 14 8EPTKMBKR, 1867. 



