II. 



3IRD-STUDY IN A SOUTHERN STATE. 



The most interesting experience in several 

 years of bird-study was a trip to a Southern 

 State for the purpose of making acquaintance 

 with the mocking-bird. 



Adventures began before the lights of New 

 York sank below the horizon ; adventures more 

 strange than agreeable, for the journey was by 

 steamer. Hardly had we passed out of the bay 

 when there began a gentle roll which speedily 

 sent passengers to bed. When we passed Long 

 Branch the motion was a steady rock from side 

 to side, that made one feel like a baby in a cra- 

 dle, and before bedtime it was a violent swing 

 that flung one about like a toy, and tossed the 

 furniture around like doll-house belongings. 



Holding on to the side of the berth with 

 both hands, I passed the night listening to the 

 labored strokes of the engine and the crashing 

 of the loosened freight in the hold, and enter- 

 tained by the eccentric conduct of the loose ar- 

 ticles in my state-room, a trunk, chair, life-pre- 



