OF WILSON. 



phia. My route up the Hudson afforded great pleasure, mingled 

 with frequent regret that you were not along with me, to share 

 the enjoyment. About thirty miles south of Albany we passed 

 within ten miles of the celebrated Catskill mountains, a gigan- 

 tic group, clothed with forest to the summits. In the river here 

 I found our common reed (Zizania aquatica) growing in great 

 abundance in shoals extending along the middle of the river. I 

 saw flocks of Red-wings, and some Black Ducks, but no Rail, 



or Reed-birds. 



* * * * 



"From this place my journey led me over a rugged, moun- 

 tainous country, to Lake Champlain, along which I coasted as 

 far as Burlington in Vermont. Here I found the little Coot-foot- 

 ed Tringa or Phalarope* that you sent to Mr. Peale; a new and 

 elegantly marked Hawk; and observed some Black Ducks. 

 The shores are alternate sandy bays, and rocky headlands run- 

 ning into the lake. Every tavern was crowded with officers, 

 soldiers and travellers. Eight of us were left without a bed ; 

 but having an excellent great coat, I laid myself down in a cor- 

 ner, with a determination of sleeping in defiance of the uproar 

 of the house, and the rage of my companions, who would not 



disgrace themselves by a prostration of this sort. 



* * * * 



" From Lake Champlain I traversed a rude mountainous re- 

 gion to Connecticut river, one hundred miles above Dartmouth 

 College. I spent several days with the gun in Groton, and Rye- 

 gate townships, and made some discoveries. From this I coast- 

 ed along the Connecticut to a place called Haverhill, ten miles 

 from the foot of Moose-hillock, one of the highest of the White 

 Mountains of New Hampshire. I spent the greater part of a day 

 in ascending to the peak of one of these majestic mountains, 

 whence I had the most sublime and astonishing view that was 

 ever afforded me. One immensity of forest lay below, extended 

 on all sides to the farthest verge of the horizon; while the only 

 prominent objects were the columns of smoke from burning 



* P. Fulicarius. 



