176 AUDUBON 



[Copied from Bell's Journal.^] 



"August 2. Started at half -past- seven this morning; 

 saw several Yellow-legs (Godwits), and some young Blue- 

 winged Teal in the pond in the first prairie. Shot two 

 Curlews; saw two very fine male Elks; they were lying 

 down quite near us, under a bank where they got the wind of 

 us. The Sharp-tailed Grouse are first-rate eating now, as 

 they feed entirely on grasshoppers, and berries of different 

 kinds. Owen climbed a tree to a White-headed ■ Eagle's 

 nest, and drove a young one out, which fell to the ground 

 and was caught alive, and brought to the fort. Is it not 

 very remarkable that Eagles of this species should have 

 their young in the nest at this late season, when in the 

 Floridas I have shot them of the same size in February.? 

 Shot at a Wolf, which being wounded, went off about o?ie 

 hundred yards, and yelled like a dog ; a very remarkable 

 instance, as all we have killed or wounded, and they have 

 been many, rarely make any sound, and if they do it is 

 simply a snapping at their pursuer. As we went up the 

 Missouri on the 7th instant, I found numbers of Cliff 

 Swallow's nests, with the old ones feeding their young. 

 This is also very late and uncommon at this season. Saw 

 a Peregrine Falcon feeding its young. La Fleur shot two 

 bucks of the White-tailed Deer with two shots, and the 

 meat, which we brought home, proved fat and good. Saw 

 Beaver tracks, and young Green-winged Teals. We saw 

 hills impregnated with sulphur and coal, some of them 



rail]. There were two roads, and hearing wheels, some ran one way and 

 some another, each hoping to be the first to see him ; but he had left the 

 carriage at the top of the hill, and came on foot straight down the steepest 

 part, so that those who remained on the piazza had his first kiss. He 

 kissed his sons as well as the ladies of the party. He had on a green 

 blanket coat with fur collar and cuffs ; his hair and beard were very long, 

 and he made a fine and striking appearance. In this dress his son John 

 painted his portrait." 

 1 See page 126. 



