236 LIFE OP AUDUBON. 



CHAPTEK XLl. 



Visit to the Bay op Fundt. 



While visiting Eastport, Audubon made a trip to the Bay of 

 Fundy and some of its neighbouring islands, in search of the 

 birds which resort there ; and the following episode is his own 

 graphic account of that journey : — 



"The Bat of Fundt. 



" It was in tbe month of May that I sailed in the United 

 States revenue cutter the Swiftsure, engaged in a cruise in the 

 Bay of Fundy. Our sails were quickly unfurled, and spread 

 out to the breeze. 



" The vessel seemed to fly over the liquid element, as the 

 sun rose in full splendour, while the clouds that floated here 

 and there formed, with their glowing hues, a rich contrast with 

 the pure azure of the heavens above us. We approached apace 

 the island of Grand Manan, of which the stupendous cliffs 

 gradually emerged from the deep, with the majestic boldness of 

 her noblest native chief. Soon our bark passed beneath its 

 craggy head, covered with trees which, on account of the 

 height, seemed scarcely larger than shrubs. The prudent raven 

 spread her pinions, launched from the cliff, and flew away 

 before us ; the golden eagle, soaring aloft, moved majestically 

 along in wide circles ; the guillemots sat on their eggs upon 

 the shelvy precipices, or, plunging into the water, dived and 



