230 Life of Audubon. 



draw, and I was compelled to go on shore for exercise. 

 The fact is I am growing old too fast, alas ! I feel it, and 

 yet work I will, and may God grant me life to see the last 

 plate of my mammoth work finished. 



" y?//v 7. Drawing all day ; finished the female grouse 

 and five young ones, and preparing the male bird. 



" July 8. Rainy, dirty weather, wind east, thermome- 

 ter 48^. Began drawing at half-past three a.m, but my 

 condition very disagreeable in such weather. The fog 

 collects and falls in large drops from the rigging on my 

 table, and now and then I am obliged to close the sky- 

 light, and work almost in darkness. Notwithstanding, I 

 have finished my plate of the cock ptarmigan. 



" yuly 9. The wind east, wet, disagreeable, and foggy. 

 This is the most wonderful climate in the world ; the 

 thermometer 52°, mosquitoes in profusion, plants bloomi- 

 ing by milhons, and at eveiy step you tread on flowers 

 such as would be looked on in more temperate climates 

 with pleasure. I only wish I could describe plants as 

 well as I can the habits of birds. I have drawn all day 

 on the loon, a most difficult bird to imitate. 



" y^^^y lo- Thermometer 54°. Could I describe one 

 of those dismal gales which blow ever and anon over this 

 dismal country, it would probably be interesting to any 

 one unacquainted with the inclemency of this climate. 

 Nowhere else are the north-east blasts, which sweep over 

 Labrador, felt as they are here. But I cannot describe 

 them. All I can say is, that while we are safe in a land- 

 locked harbor, their effects on our vessel are so strong, 

 that they will not allow me to draw, and sometimes send 

 some of us to our beds. And what the force of these 

 horrid blasts outside of the harbor at sea is I can hardly 

 imagine ; but it seems as if it would be impossible for any 

 vessel to ride safely before them, and that they will rend 

 these rocky islands asunder. The rain is driven in sheets, 



