490 AUDUBON 



to the country at large, and to Kentucky in particular. 

 You would have been pleased to see those who did not 

 join in the dance shooting at distant marks with their 

 heavy rifles, or watched how they showed off the superior 

 speed of their high bred " Old Virginia " horses, while 

 others recounted their hunting exploits, and at intervals 

 made the woods ring with their bursts of laughter. With 

 me the time sped like an arrow in its flight, and although 

 more than twenty years have elapsed since I joined a Ken- 

 tucky barbecue, my spirit is refreshed every Fourth of 

 July by the recollection of that day's merriment. 



But now the sun has declined, and the shades of evening 

 creep over the scene. Large fires are lighted in the woods, 

 casting the long shadows of the live columns far along the 

 trodden ground, and flaring on the happy groups loath to 

 separate. In the still, clear sky, begin to sparkle the dis- 

 tant lamps of heaven. One might have thought that Na- 

 ture herself smiled on the joy of her children. Supper now 

 appeared on the tables, and after all had again refreshed 

 themselves, preparations were made for departure. The 

 lover hurried for the steed of his fair one, the hunter seized 

 the arm of his friend, families gathered into loving groups, 

 and all returned in peace to their happy homes. 



And now, reader, allow me also to take my leave, and 

 wish you good-night, trusting that when I again appear 

 with another volume,^ you will be ready to welcome me 

 with a cordial greeting. 



A RACCOON HUNT IN KENTUCKY 



The Raccoon, which is a cunning and crafty animal, is 

 found in all our woods, so that its name is familiar to 

 every child in the Union. The propensity which it 

 evinces to capture all kinds of birds accessible to it in its 

 • The last Episode in vol. u. of the " Ornithological Biographies." 



