64 



THE CABINET OF NATURAL HISTORY, 



be met with. In orchards, and on well cultivated farms, 

 they are most numerous, generally preferring such places 

 to build in, rather than the woods or forest. — lb. 



EXTRACT FROM THE DIARY OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST 

 DURING A SOUTHERN TOUR. 



{Concluded from p. 284, Vol. II.') 



At Savannah, I had the pleasure to become acquainted 

 with some of the leading Sportsmen of that place, and 

 joined them in several excursions after Partridges, which 

 abound in the greatest plenitude throughout that region. 

 These birds are mostly found in fields covered with Indian 

 grass, or, to use a southern phrase, in "straw fields," — 

 which generally are so extensive that the game seldom 

 leaves them to take shelter in the adjoining woods. In 

 consequence of this, the sporting is not attended with 

 much fatigue, and the success is greater than at the 

 north, where the numberless thickets protect this species 

 of game. On an excursion of a few hours, in the immedi- 

 ate vicinity of Savannah, a small party bagged forty-three 

 Partridges from one field, and out of seven coveys. I 

 have observed that these birds are much stronger in the 

 markings of their plumage, than those of the north; and I 

 can account for it only from the fact, that the weather is 

 so much milder at the south, that it does not check the 

 increasing beauty of the plumage, at any period be- 

 tween the moulting seasons. On a comparison of my 

 southern specimens with those shot in the vicinity of Phi- 

 ladelphia, the contrast is very evident. In this latitude 

 these birds do not pair until the middle of April, for the 

 above excursion was madeaboutthe 28th of March, and they 

 were yet congregated in coveys of about a dozen each; in- 

 deed they are so numerous that the southern Sportsmen 

 have no set period to refrain from shooting them, only that 

 which is defined by the appearance of the Moccasins, 

 (venomous serpents,) which become dangerous about the 

 first of April. Saw several on the day above mentioned. 

 Also heard some hounds in full cry after deer, in an ad- 

 joining wood. Endeavoured to get a shot at a White 

 Ibis, (Tantalus Albus,) which had settled on a large 

 magnolia tree in the centre of the field, but did not suc- 

 ceed. I afterwards heard of four of these birds being 

 exposed for sale in the Savannah market, but, much 

 to my regret, they were disposed of before I had an oppor- 

 tunity of securing them. 



Savannah can boast of some first rate Sportsmen; two 

 of these, Messrs. L and M , with whom I be- 

 came acquainted, are of this order. Mild and polite in 



their manners, it is truly a pleasure to accompany them on 

 an excursion after game; and on several occasions I expe- 

 rienced from them the strongest testimonials of a generous 

 and hospitable spirit. 



I was struck with the singular actions of an old pointer dog 



belonging to Mr. M , a remarkable fine animal, which, 



on approaching game, would crouch on his belly, and drag 

 himself to the desired spot. I have now and then seen the 

 same actions in other dogs of the setter breed, but not to 



the extent as manifested in this dog. Mr. L had one 



of the most promising young dogs I ever saw, which reco- 

 vered some wounded birds under the most difficult circum- 

 stances. 



Having expressed a desire to visit some of the sea 

 islands, and part of the coast of Georgia, I received an invi- 

 tation to make my home at a plantation on Wilmington Island, 

 which borders Warsaw Sound, and is within a few miles 

 of the ocean. I accordingly, (March 31st,) visited this 

 place, and was most politely received at the landing by Mr. 



B , who offered me the hospitality of his house, and 



any facilities I might require in furtherance of the objects 

 which brought me there. Wishing to secure some speci- 

 mens of the southern-shore birds, I availed myself of his 

 kind offers, and accepted, (April 2d,) the services of four 

 negroes and a boat, and made an excursion among the inlets 

 and islands along the coast. Sawnumbers of the Blue Crane, 

 Snowy Heron, (Jlrdea Candidissima,) Great White He- 

 ron, (»#. Egretta,) Long-billed Curlew, (Numenius Lon- 

 girostris,) Great Marbled God wit, (Scolopax Fedoa,) 

 Black-bellied Plover, (Charadrius Jlpricarius,) Tell- 

 tale Snipe, (S. vociferus ;) and among the high grass 

 which bordered the different inlets, vast quantities of the 

 Sea-side Finch, [Fringilla Mariti?na.) 



I witnessed among the Fish-Hawks, (Falco Haliastus,) 

 this day, a sight truly interesting and grand. The tide 

 was ebbing fast, and leaving the numerous sand-bars in 

 Warsaw Sound exposed to view, while in the shallow 

 water between these bars, multitudes of fish could be seen 

 sporting, enlivened as it were by the exhilarating influence 

 of a vernal sun. To one of these spots more than any other, 

 was the attention of the Fish Hawks drawn. High over 

 this, sailing and counter-sailing, in circles, I counted thirty- 

 seven of these noble birds, watching, with anxious eyes, 

 the finny tribe sporting beneath them. For a considera- 

 ble time, not a plunge was made by a single Hawk. They 

 would soar to an immense height, and then descend as if 

 anxious to strike their prey, and reap the reward of their 

 efforts; but some counteracting power prevailed, and they 

 continued their graceful evolutions in the air for a consider- 

 able length of time. I thought my presence might be the 

 cause of this, and I withdrew; and, at a distance, seated 



