In its Native Mountains. 185 



possible to penetrate them. Following the beautiful valley, 

 at the outlet of which the town of Simoda stands, for about 

 four miles, I came to a place where the Simoda creek divides 

 into two branches. Selecting the eastern branch, I soon left 

 fields and houses behind me and, ascending through a little 

 gully, I emerged from the woods into the barren region. It 

 was yet early in the morning ; clouds enveloped the peaks 

 and tops of the hills ; the fields and woods were silent, and the 

 distant sound of the surf from the seashore far below rather 

 increased than lessened the impression of deep solitude made 

 upon me by the strange scenery around. 



" The walk and ascent had fatigued me somewhat ; I had 

 laid down my gun and game-bag, and was just stooping to 

 drink from a little spring that trickled from a rock, when, not 

 ten yards from me, a large pheasant arose with loud rustling 

 noise, and before I had recovered my gun he had disappeared 

 over the brow of a hill. I felt somewhat ashamed for allowing 

 myself thus to be taken so completely aback ; but, noticing 

 the direction in which he had gone, I proceeded more carefully 

 in pursuit. A small stretch of tableland, which I soon reached, 

 was covered with short grass and some little clusters of shrubs, 

 with scattered fragments of rocks ; and as I heard a note which 

 I took to be the crowing of a cock pheasant at a short distance, 

 I availed myself of the excellent cover, and, crawling cautiously 

 on my hands and knees, I succeeded in approaching him 

 within about fifteen yards. Having the advantage of the wind 

 and a foggy atmosphere, and being, moreover, concealed by 

 the rocks and shrubs, I could indulge in quietly observing 

 him and his family. On a small sandy patch were an adult cock 

 and three hens busy in taking their breakfast, which consisted 

 of the berries already mentioned growing hereabouts in abund- 

 ance. From time to time the lord of this little family stopped 

 in his repast and crowed his shrill war-cry, which was answered 

 by a rival on another hill at some distance. At other moments, 

 again, when the sun broke forth for a short time, all stretched 

 themselves in the golden rays, and rolling in the sand, shook 



