306 A UDUBON 



STILL BECALMED 



On the 4th of June, we were still in the same plight, 

 although the currents of the Gulf had borne us to a 

 great distance from the place where, as I have informed 

 you, we had amused ourselves with catching Dolphins. 

 These currents are certainly very singular, for they car- 

 ried us hither and thither, at one time rendering us appre- 

 hensive of drifting on the coast of Florida, at another 

 threatening to send us to Cuba. Sometimes a slight 

 motion in the air revived our hopes, swelled our sails a 

 little, and carried us through the smooth waters like a 

 skater gliding on ice; but in a few hours it was again 

 a dead calm. 



One day several small birds, after alighting on the 

 spars, betook themselves to the deck. One of them, a 

 female Rice Bunting, drew our attention more particu-,, 

 larly, for, a few moments after her arrival, there came 

 down, as if in her wake, a beautiful Peregrine Falcon. 

 The plunderer hovered about for a while, then stationed 

 himself on the end of one of the yard-arms, and suddenly 

 pouncing on the little gleaner of the meadows, clutched 

 her and carried her off in exultation. But, reader, mark 

 the date, and judge besides of my astonishment when I 

 saw the Falcon feeding on the Finch while on wing, pre- 

 cisely with the same ease and composure as the Missis- 

 sippi Kite might show while devouring high in air a 

 Red-throated Lizard, swept from one of the magnificent 

 trees of the Louisiana woods. 



There was a favorite pet on board belonging to our 

 captain, and which was nothing more nor less than the 

 female companion of a cock — in other words, a common 

 hen. Some liked her because she now and then dropped 

 a fresh egg — a rare article at sea, even on board the 

 "Delos;" others, because she exhibited a pleasing sim- 



