CHAPTER VI 



AUDUBON AND BOONE. 



I TURN from Audubon and his triumphs amid courtly scenes 

 of the Old World, surrounded by the princely and the learned, 

 to the Hunter-Naturalist at his labors in the wilderness of the 

 New — the associate of the rugged Boone, and many another 

 skin-dressed peer. 



We may gather from his generous exhortation to younger 

 naturalists to take the field, interesting features of what may 

 be supposed to have been his own method of conducting his' 

 investigations when abroad with nature. Something of the 

 sort of training by which his remarkable character was formed, 

 and the modes and circumstances under which his works grew. 

 After saying that the list of new species had been nearly 

 doubled since the time of Alexander Wilson's work, and that 

 he felt confident very many species remain to be added by 

 future observers, who shall travel the vast wastes extending 

 northward and westward from the Canadas, and along the 

 western slopes of the Rocky Mountains, from Nootka to Cali- 

 fornia ; indeed, that he looks upon the whole range of those 

 magnificent mountains as being yet unexplored — he addresses 

 the young enthusiast : — 



Therefore, I would strongly advise you to make up your 

 mind, shoulder your gun, muster all your spirits, and start in 

 search of the interesting unkno^vn, of which I greatly regret 

 I can no more go in pursuit — not for want of will, but of 

 the vigor and elasticity necessary for so arduous an enter- 

 prise. Should you agree to undertake the task, and prove 

 fortunate enough to return full of knowledge, laden with 



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