THE FRUITS OF ENERGY AND INDUSTRY. 47 



too great to be endured, without affecting the whole 

 of my nervous system. I slept not for several 

 nights, and days passed like the days of oblivion, 

 until the animal powers, being recalled into action 

 through the strength of my constitution, I took 

 up my gun, my note-books, and my pencils, and 

 went gaily forth to the woods as if nothing had 

 happened. I felt pleased that I might now make 

 much better drawings than before; and ere a period 

 not exceeding three years had elapsed, I had my 

 portfolio filled again !" 



It will be readily believed that such surprising 

 energy, industry and zeal, were crowned with suc- 

 cess. All the world knows how admirably he has 

 depicted the objects he loved so well. This " Or- 

 nithological Biography" is a series of exquisite 

 portraits of the feathered tribes, and its interest is 

 enhanced by numerous lively and graphic sketches 

 of American scenery and manners, which are inter- 

 spersed through the volumes. Some of these give 

 an occasional glimpse of the writer's adventures 

 during his wanderings, and they partake not a 

 little of the romantic. For example, he gives us 

 this picture of 



THE PRAIRIE. 



" On my return from the Upper Mississippi, I 

 found myself obliged to cross one of the wide 



