I20 Life of Auduhon. 



far better idea of American birds than all the stuffed 

 birds of all the museums put together. 



" ' Permit me likewise to recommend Mr. Audubon to 

 your hospitable attentions ; the respectability of his life 

 and his family connections entitle him to the good wishes 

 of any gentleman, and you will derive much gratification 

 from his conversation. 



" ' I am, dear Sir, 



" ' With sincere regard, 



" ' Most truly yours, 



" ' Vincent Nolte. 

 *' ' To Richard Rathboke, Esq., 

 " ' Liverpool.' " 



" jfiine 23. Near Cape Florida. This morning we 

 entered the Atlantic Ocean from the Florida Straits with 

 a fair wind. The land birds have left us. I leave 

 America and my wife and children to visit England and 

 Europe and publish my ' Birds of America.' 



" In the Gulf of Mexico our vessel was becalmed for 

 many days ; the tedium of which we beguiled by catch- 

 ing fish and watching their habits. Among the others 

 caught we were fortunate in securing several beautiful 

 dolphins. Dolphins move in shoals varying from four or 

 five to twenty or more, hunting in packs in the waters as 

 wolves pursue their prey on land. The object of their 

 pursuit is generally the flying-fish, now and then the 

 bonita ; and when nothing better can be had they will 

 follow the little rudder-fish and seize it immediately under 

 the stern of the ship. The flying-fishes, after having es- 

 caped for awhile by dint of their great velocity, on being 

 again approached by the dolphins, emerge from the water, 

 and spreading their broad wing-like fins, sail through the 

 air and disperse in all directions, like a covey of timid 

 partridges before the rapacious falcon. Some pursue a 

 direct course, others diverge on either side, but in a short 



