284 LIFE OF AUDUBON. 



" We proceeded over the table-lands towards some ponds, and 

 I found three young shore-larks just out of the nest, and not yet 

 able to fly. They hopped about pretty briskly over the moss, 

 uttering a soft jpeep, to which the parent birds responded at 

 every call. They were about a week old, and I am glad that 

 I shall now have it in my power to make a figure of these birds 

 in summer, winter, and young plumage. We also found the 

 breeding-place of the Fuligula Histrionica, in the corner of a 

 small pond in some low bushes. The parent bird was so shy, 

 that we could not obtain her. In another pond we found the 

 nest also of the velvet duck, called here white-winged coots 

 (Fuligula Fusca) ; it was placed on the moss, among the grass, 

 close to the edge of the water, and contained feathers, but no 

 down, as others do. The female had six-young, five of which 

 were secured. They were about one week old, and I could 

 readily distinguish the male birds from the females, the former 

 all exhibiting the white spot under the eye. They were black 

 and hairy (not downy) all over except under the chin, where a 

 patch of white showed itself. They swam swiftly and beauti- 

 fully, and when we drove them into a narrow place, for the 

 purpose of getting them on land and catching them alive, they 

 turned about face and dived most beautifully, and made their 

 way towards the middle of the pond, where four were shot at one 

 discharge. Another went on shore and squatted in the grass, 

 where Lincoln caught it ; but I begged for its life, and we left 

 it to the care of its mother and of the Maker ! The mother 

 showed all imaginable anxiety, and called to her young all the 

 while she remained in the pond, with a short squeaking note by 

 no means unpleasant. 



"July 29. Bras d'Or. Another horrid stormy day; the 

 fishermen complain, although five or six left the harbour for 

 further east ; and I wish them joy, but for my part I wish I was 

 further westward. Our party of young men went ofi" this 

 morning early to a place called Port Eau, eighteen miles distant, 

 to try to buy some Esquimaux mocassins and dresses. They 

 will not come back till to-morrow, and I was glad when the 

 boat returned, as I was sure they were on terra firma. I feel 

 quite lonesome on account of their absence, for when all are 

 on board we have lively times, with music, and stories, and 



