10 AUDUBON, THE T^JTl'tJUALlS'l '^ 



sixty land and water birds, and sent all the "pickled 



specimens to our mutual friend H " [Dr. Harlan, of 



Philadelphia] for safe keeping until their return. 



I jumped at once into my wood-hunting habits. All hands 

 of us were up before day-break, and soon at work, either in 

 the way of shooting, taking views, or drawing birds ; after 

 sunset — scribbling in our journals. ... In the early part of 

 November the alligators had gone into their winter quarters ; 

 the migratory birds were passing swiftly on towards the south, 

 although we had had no frost. The planters considered the 

 country as still unhealthy, and resorted to the city at night. 

 If I had been governed by the practice and advice of many, I 

 should not have put a foot in the mud, either salted or fresh ; but 

 difBculties of this character must be disregarded by the Ameri- 

 can woodsman, while success, or the hope of it, is before him. 



It is impossible to do justice to the generous feelings of 

 the Charlestonians, or to their extreme kindness towards me. 

 Many of the gentlemen took the greatest interest in my pur- 

 suits ; one. Dr. , presented me with an excellent New 



Foundland dog, and other valuable memorials of his regard. 

 Another, Dr. , gave me a collection of shells, from the adja- 

 cent waters. The ladies presented me with a capital supply of 

 snuff .^ Desirous of goiing to Cole's Island, distant about 25 or 

 30 miles, to look after some marine birds, a boat, four hands 

 and a pilot, were immediately offered to me, free of all ex- 

 pense, with the liberty to detain them as long as was agree- 

 able to me. It is not possible for me to express properly the 

 sense I feel of the kindness I received from that warm-hearted 

 and intelligent people. 



And now, as you have good naturedly listened to what I 

 have felt bound to say on the score of gratitude, I will tell you 

 what I know you are impatient to come to — something about 

 my proceedings at Cole's Island. It lies south from Charleston 

 about 25 or 30 miles; there we arrived and encamped for the 



'See Audubon's New Year's resolution against snufiF, Vol. I, p. 396. 



