GREAT EGG HARBOUR. 161 



open woods, on the tallest trees of which I observed at intervals 

 the nest of a flsh-hawk, far above which the white-breasted 

 bird slowly winged its way as it commenced its early journey to 

 the sea, the i)dour of which filled me with delight. In half an 

 hour more we were in the centre of Great Egg Harbour, 



" There I had the good fortune to be received into the house 

 of a thoroughbred fisherman-gunner, who, besides owning a com- 

 fortable cot, only a few hundred yards from the shore, had an 

 excellent woman for a. wife, and a little daughter as playful as a 

 kitten, though as wild as a seagull. In less than half an hour I 

 was quite at home, and the rest of the day was spent in 

 devotion. Oysters, though reckoned out of season at this 

 period, are as good as ever when fresh from their beds, and my 

 first meal was of some as large and white as any I have eaten. 

 The sight of them, placed before me on a clean table, with an 

 honest industrious family in my company, never failed to afford 

 more pleasure than the most sumptuous fare under different 

 circumstances, and our conversation being simple and harmless, 

 gaiety shone in every face. As we became better acquainted, 

 I had to answer several questions relative to the object of my 

 visit. The good man rubbed his hands with joy as I spoke of 

 shooting and fishing, and of long excursions through the swamps 

 and marshes around. My host was then, and I hope still is, 

 a tall, strong-boned, muscular man, of dark complexion, with 

 eyes as keen as those of the sea eagle. He was a tough walker, 

 laughed at difficulties, and could pull an oar with any man. As 

 to shooting, I have often doubted whether he or Mr. Egan, the 

 worthy pilot of Indian Isle, was best ; and rarely indeed have I 

 seen either of them misa a shot. 



"At daybreak on Monday I shouldered my double-barrelled gun, 

 and my host carried with him a long fowling-piece, a pair of oars, 

 and a pair of oyster-tongs, while the wife and daughter brought 

 along a seine. The boat was good, the breeze gentle, and along 

 the inlets we sailed for parts well known to my companions. To 

 such naturalists as are qualified to observe many different objects 

 at the same time, Great Egg Harbour would probably afford as 

 ample a field as any part of our coast, excepting the Florida Keys. 

 Birds of many kinds are abundant, as are fishes and testaceous ani- 

 mals. The forests shelter many beautiful plants, and even on the 



