PURSUIT OF STUDIES. 11 



stone or spray, reflected in the clear water be- 

 neath; the fish hawk and white-headed eagle, 

 their elegant aerial motions raising the thoughts 

 to that heaven towards which they soared. 



A small cave, scooped by nature in the rock, 

 was his studio. Some paper, pencils, with a 

 volume of Edgworth's tales, or La Fontaine's 

 charming fables, were its contents. Here, when 

 swelling buds and blossoming trees — spite of 

 snow-flakes on the earth and chill winds — told 

 the approach of spring, the birds returned to 

 their nests in the rock, over the arched entrance 

 of his retreat. Already the glowing rays of the 

 sun coloured richly every object, when entering 

 one morning his accustomed sanctum, a rustling 

 sound told the arrival of the pewee fly catchers, 

 his appearance had disturbed. Courteously he 

 withdrew to leave his retreat occupied by the 

 little pilgrims. Daily he returned to behold 

 them fluttering in and about the cave, darting 

 through the air and enjoying, apparently, by 

 their fluttering motions and erected crest, the 

 most agreeable converse. Before a week th. 

 pewees and their guardian were on terms of 

 such intimacy, that Audubon, determined to en- 

 joy the company of so affectionate and amiable 

 a pair, spent the greater part of the day again 

 in his cave with them. Delighted, he observed 

 them repair the nest, and warm it by an addi- 



