EPISODES 473 



kind reader, to go driving in our western and southern 

 woods, I now conclude my chapter on Deer Hunting by 

 informing you that the species referred to above is the 

 Virginia Deer, Cervus virginianus ; and tliat, until I be able 

 to present you with a full account of its habits and history, 

 you may consult for information respecting it the excellent 

 "Fauna Americana" of my esteemed friend Dr. Harlan, of 

 Philadelphia. 



THE ECCENTRIC NATURALIST 



" What an odd-looking fellow ! " said I to myself, as, 

 while walking by the river, I observed a man landing from 

 a boat, with what I thought a bundle of dried clover on his 

 back ; " how the boatmen stare at him ! sure he must be 

 an original ! " He ascended with a rapid step, and ap- 

 proaching me asked if I could point out the house in 

 which Mr. Audubon resided. " Why, I am the man," said 

 I, " and will gladly lead you to my dwelling." 



The traveller rubbed his hands together with delight, 

 and drawing a letter from his pocket handed it to me 

 without any remark. I broke the seal and read as fol- 

 lows : " My dear Audubon, I send you an odd fish, which 

 you may prove to be undescribed, and hope you will do 

 so in your next letter. Believe, me always your friend 

 B." With all the simplicity of a woodsman I asked the 

 bearer where the odd fish was, when M. de T. (for, kind 

 reader, the individual in my presence was none else than 

 that renowned naturalist) smiled, rubbed his hands, and 

 with the greatest good- humor said, " I am that odd fish 

 I presume, Mr. Audubon." I felt confounded and blushed, 

 but contrived to stammer an apology. 



We soon reached the house, when I presented my 

 learned guest to my family, and was ordering a servant to 

 go to the boat for M. de T.'s luggage, when he told me he 



