434 AUDUBON 



way." The moss almost as deep as in Labrador, the 

 morasses quite as much so; no tall wood, and no hard 

 wood. The lads were all so fatigued that they are now 

 sound asleep. 



August 17. We would now be "ploughing the deep" 

 had the wind been fair ; but as it was not, here we still are in 

 statu quo. I have drawn a curious species of alder to my 

 White-winged Crossbill, and finished it. I had a visit from 

 an old Frenchman who has resided on this famous island 

 for fifty years ; he assured me that no Red Indians were 

 now to be found : the last he heard of were seen twenty- 

 two years ago. These native Indians give no quarter to 

 anybody; usually, after killing their foes, they cut the 

 heads off the latter, and leave the body to the wild beasts 

 of the country. Several flocks of Golden Plovers passed 

 over the bay this forenoon ; two Lestris pomarina came in 

 this evening. Ravens abound here, but no Crows have 

 been seen. The Great Tern is passing south by thousands, 

 and a small flock of Canada Geese was seen. A young 

 of the Golden-crested Wren was shot, full grown and 

 fledged, but not a sign of yellow on the head. A Mus- 

 cicapa (Flycatcher) was killed which probably is new; 

 to-morrow will tell. I bought seven Newfoundland dogs 

 for seventeen dollars ; now I shall be able to fulfil my 

 promises to friends. The American Bittern breeds here, 

 and leaves in about two weeks hence. 



August 18. At daylight the wind was fair, and though 

 cloudy, we broke our anchorage, and at five were under 

 way. We coasted Newfoundland till evening, when the 

 wind blew a gale from the southwest, and a regular 

 tempest set in. Our vessel was brought to at dusk, and 

 we danced and kicked over the waves all evening, and will 

 do so all night. 



August 19. The storm still continues, without any sign 

 of abating ; we are still at anchor, tossed hither and thither, 

 and withal sea-sick. 



