Bar at aria Bay. 401 



we read that Audubon, his son John, and Mr. Edward 

 Harris, came down from New Orleans, in the cutter, to 

 the S. W. pass, provisioned for two months, and bound 

 westwardly from the mouth of the Mississippi to Galves- 

 ton Bay, in Texas, with the intention of exploring the 

 harbors, keys, and bayous along the coast, and to examine 

 the habits of the birds of this region, and to search for 

 new species, to furnish materials for the completion of the 

 fourth volume of the " Birds of America." 



^^ April T^. We were joined this day by Captain W. B. 

 G. Taylor, of the Revenue service, with the schooner 

 Crusader, twelve tons burden, two guns, and four men 

 completely equipped for our expedition, with a supply of 

 seines, cast-nets, and other fishing-tackle." 



The same day they entered Barataria Bay, and began 

 operations, and found a variety of birds which are de- 

 scribed in the journal. The next day the party landed, 

 and made excursions in different directions, in pursuit of 

 birds and eggs. Among the spoils of game taken this 

 day, were two white pelicans, of which there was an 

 abundance. 



The next three weeks were spent in visiting the 

 islands and bayous, and penetrating some of the rivers 

 which pour into the latter that occur along the coast be- 

 tween the Mississippi river and Galveston. The parties 

 landed at various points, and found many nev/ species of 

 birds, and other interesting objects of Natural History. 

 In the course of one of these rambles, Audubon made 

 the acquaintance of a squatter, a great hunter, and with 

 v/hom he went on an excursion, which is thus de- 

 scribed : — 



" I entered the squatter's cabin, and immediately 

 opened a conversation with him respecting the situation 

 of the swamp and its natural productions. He told me 

 he thought it the very place I ought to visit, spoke of the 



