88 I DUCKING DAYS 



hood on his father's plantation near New Orleans, and 

 his earliest recollections are associated with lying among 

 the flowers of that fertile land, sheltered by the orange 

 trees, and watching the movements of the mocking bird, 

 ''the king of song," dear to him in after life from many 

 associations. 



Audubon was an admirable marksman, a clever rider, 

 an expert swimmer, possessed great activity, prodigious 

 streng-th, and was notable for the elegance of his figure 

 and the beauty of his features, and he aided nature by 

 a careful attendance to his dress. Besides other accom- 

 plishments he was a musician of ability, a good fencer, 

 and danced well. 



Audubon had many adventures in the then wild parts 

 of America, making several trips up and down the Mis- 

 sissippi and Ohio Elvers, and on one occasion meeting 

 the famous hunter, Daniel Boone, spent the night with 

 him at an inn, and the next day hunting with Boone and 

 saw him perform his feat of barking squirrels. Boone 

 told him many of his thrilling adventures among the 

 Indians. 



Audubon also made a trip up the Missouri and Yellow- 

 stone Rivers and visited among the Indian tribes. He 

 was then between 60 and 70 years of age, and near the 

 end of his life. 



"The man's heart was restless; otherwise he would 

 not have achieved so much. He must wander; he must 



