434 AUDUBON 



the Robin sounded clearly from the tops of the trees, the 

 rosy Grosbeak nipped the tender blossoms of the maples, 

 and high overhead the Loons passed in pairs, rapidly 

 wending their way towards far distant shores. Would 

 that I could have followed in their wake! The hour of 

 our departure had come; and, as we sailed up the bay, 

 our pilot, who had been fishing for cod, was taken on 

 board. A few of his fish were roasted on a plank before 

 the embers, and formed the principal part of our break- 

 fast. The breeze was light, and it was not until after- 

 noon that we arrived at Point Lepreaux Harbor, where 

 every one, making choice of his course, went in search of 

 curiosities and provender. 



Now, reader, the little harbor in which, if you wish it, 

 we shall suppose we still are, is renowned for a circum- 

 stance which I feel much inclined to endeavor to explain 

 to you. Several species of Ducks, that in myriads cover 

 the waters of the Bay of Fundy, are at times destroyed in 

 this particular spot in a very singular manner. When 

 July has come, all the water birds that are no longer cap- 

 able of reproducing, remain like so many forlorn bach- 

 elors and old maids, to renew their plumage along the 

 shores. At the period when these poor birds are unfit 

 for flight, troops of Indians make their appearance in 

 light bark canoes, paddled by their squaws and papooses. 

 They form their flotilla into an extended curve, and drive 

 before them the birds, not in silence, but with simultan- 

 eous horrific yells, at the same time beating the surface 

 of the water with long poles and paddles. Terrified by 

 the noise, the birds swim a long way before them, en- 

 deavoring to escape with all their might. The tide is 

 high, every cove is filled, and into the one where we now 

 are, thousands of Ducks are seen entering. The Indians 

 have ceased to shout, and the canoes advance side by side. 

 Time passes on, the tide swiftly recedes as it rose, and 

 there are the birds left on the beach. See with what 



