DELAWAEE VALLEY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 9 



The country is rising and hilly yet not stony, an abundance 

 of delightful flowers and trees, as oak of four kinds, white, 

 black, red, Spanish, Cedars, Dogwood trees, Apple and Cherry 

 trees, Mulberry trees, Sycamore, etc. , and all of them in their 

 full blossoming splendor and fairness, spreading such a pleasant 

 odor that we fancied we had come into Paradise. Birds of 

 many species and most of them strange to us made the woods 

 resounding with their chirping in every direction and filled the 

 air with their several and peculiar crying so that no music could 

 be more charming. 



While we went about all by ourselves, I and my brother (as 

 the Captain had gone to Colonel Sir Francois Holland) we were 

 met by two Indians, nearly all naked, having only a wicked 

 weapon over the shoulders and the body otherwise wholly bare 

 and brown to the color, tall and stately in stature. At the first 

 appearance of those savage men we became somewhat amazed, 

 although they did not stop when meeting us, but said only 

 "Haito," which is a sort of salutation corresponding to our 

 '* Good day," therewith making it evident that they are accus- 

 tomed to Europeans. Soon thereafter a messenger from the 

 Colonel came inviting us to the Manor, whereat we followed 

 him and were very nicely entertained with eatable things, wine 

 and cider. We partook thereof one to us unknown but very 

 delicious fish called Rock by the English people, but by the 

 Swedes in Pennsylvania it is called Swabt and in appearance as 

 a large Rudd, but in taste as new pickled salmon. Aforemen- 

 tioned Colonel made us the pleasure to take us around the 

 Manor, showing us various species, most especially of American 

 singing birds, Redbirds, Mocking birds, etc., everyone of them 

 of beautiful color but the one last mentioned to tune also, for 

 it has not so much tune of its own but rather is imitating every- 

 thing it heard. As to that bird it is remarkable that its hand- 

 some tones are never heard, nay, it does not even sing the least 

 little bit of a song outside of America. When brought over to 

 England it becomes instantly dumb though it is thriving there 

 well enough and can live there for many years when other birds 

 brought from East or West India nevertheless retain their orig- 

 inal way of warbling whatever country they come to. The 



