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88 



AUDUBON 



June Jl. We are a few miles south of the Line, for 

 the seconc^ time in my life. Since I wrote last we have 

 parted from our companion the " Gleaner," and are yet 

 in the Gulf of Mexico. I have been at sea three Sundays, 

 and yet we have not made the shores of Cuba. Since 

 my last date I have seen a large Sword-fish, but only saw 

 it, two Gannets, caught a live Warbler, and killed a 

 Great-footed Hawk. This bird, after having alighted sev- 

 eral times on our yards, made a dash at a Warbler which 

 was feeding on the flies about the vessel, seized it, and 

 ate it in our sight, on the wing, much like a Mississippi 

 Kite devouring the Red-throated Lizards. The warbler 

 we caught was a nondescript, which I named " The Cape 

 Florida Songster." We also saw two Frigate Pelicans at a 

 great height, and a large species of Petrel, entirely un- 

 known to me. I have read Byron's " Corsair " with much 

 enjoyment. 



June 17. A brig bound to Boston, called the " An- 

 dromache," came alongside, and my heart rejoiced at 

 the idea that letters could be carried by her to America. 

 I set to, and wrote to my wife and to Nicholas Berthoud. 

 A sudden squall separated us till quite late, but we boarded 

 her, I going with the captain ; the sea ran high, and the 

 tossing of our light yawl was extremely disagreeable to 

 my feelings. The brig was loaded with cotton, extremely 

 filthy, and I was glad to discover that with all our dis- 

 agreeables we were comparatively comfortable on the 

 " Delos." We have been in sight of Cuba four days; the 

 heat excessive. I saw three beautiful White-headed 

 Pigeons, or Doves, flying about our ship, but after sev- 

 eral rounds they shaped their course towards the Floridas 

 and disappeared. The Dolphins we catch here are said 

 to be poisonous ; to ascertain whether they are or not, a 

 piece of fish is boiled with a silver dollar till quite cooked, 

 when if the coin is not tarnished or green, the fish is safe 

 eating. I find bathing in the sea water extremely refresh- 



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