64 
THE CABINET OF NATURAL HISTORY, 
be met with. In orchards, and on well cultivated farms, 
they are most numerous, generally preferring such places 
to build in, rather than the woods or forest. — lb. 
EXTRACT FROM THE DIARY OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST 
DURING A SOUTHERN TOUR. 
(' Concluded from p. 284, Vol. II.') 
At Savannah, I had the pleasure to become acquainted 
with some of the leading Sportsmen of that place, and 
joined them in several excursions after Partridges, which 
abound in the greatest plenitude throughout that region. 
These birds are mostly found in fields covered with Indian 
grass, or, to use a southern phrase, in “straw fields,” — 
which generally are so extensive that the game seldom 
leaves them to take shelter in the adjoining woods. In 
consequence of this, the sporting is not attended with 
much fatigue, and the success is greater than at the 
north, where the numberless thickets protect this species 
of game. On an excursion of a few hours, in the immedi- 
ate vicinity of Savannah, a small party bagged forty-three 
Partridges from one field, and out of seven coveys. I 
have observed that these birds are much stronger in the 
markings of their plumage, than those of the north; and I 
can account for it only from the fact, that the weather is 
so much milder at the south, that it does not check the 
increasing beauty of the plumage, at any period be- 
tween the moulting seasons. On a comparison of my 
southern specimens with those shot in the vicinity of Phi- 
ladelphia, the contrast is very evident. In this latitude 
these birds do not pair until the middle of April, for the 
above excursion was madeaboutthe 2Sth of March, and they 
were yet congregated in coveys of about a dozen each; in- 
deed they are so numerous that the southern Sportsmen 
have no set period to refrain from shooting them, only that 
which is defined by the appearance of the Moccasins, 
(venomous serpents,) which become dangerous about the 
first of April. Saw several on the day above mentioned. 
Also heard some hounds in full cry after deer, in an ad- 
joining wood. Endeavoured to get a shot at a White 
Ibis, ( Tantalus dilbus,) which had settled on a large 
magnolia tree in the centre of the field, but did not suc- 
ceed. I afterwards heard of four of these birds being 
exposed for sale in the Savannah market, but, much 
to my regret, they were disposed of before I had an oppor- 
tunity of securing them. 
Savannah can boast of some first rate Sportsmen; two 
of these, Messrs. L and M , with whom I be- 
came acquainted, are of this order. Mild and polite in 
their manners, it is truly a pleasure to accompany them on 
an excursion after game; and on several occasions I expe- 
rienced from them the strongest testimonials of a generous 
and hospitable spirit. 
I was struck with the singular actions of an old pointerdog 
belonging to Mr. M , a remarkable fine animal, which, 
on approaching game, would crouch on his belly, and drag 
himself to the desired spot. I have now and then seen the 
same actions in other dogs of the setter breed, but not to 
the extent as manifested in this dog. Mr. L had one 
of the most promising young dogs I ever saw, which reco- 
vered some wounded birds under the most difficult circum- 
stances. 
Having expressed a desire to visit some of the sea 
islands, and part of the coast of Georgia, I received an invi- 
tation to make my home at a plantation on Wilmington Island, 
which borders Warsaw Sound, and is within a few' miles 
of the ocean. I accordingly, (March 31st,) visited, this 
place, and was most politely received at the landing by Mr. 
B , who offered me the hospitality of his house, and 
any facilities I might require in furtherance of the objects 
which brought me there. Wishing to secure some speci- 
mens of the southern-shore birds, I availed myself of his 
kind offers, and accepted, (April 2d,) the services of four 
negroes and a boat, and made an excursion among the inlets 
and islands along the coast. Saw numbers of the Blue Crane, 
Snowy Heron, ( Ardea Candidissima ,) Great White He- 
ron, {A. Egretta ,) Long-billed Curlew, ( Numenius Lon- 
girostris,) Great Marbled Godw.it, ( Scolopax Fedoa ,) 
Black-bellied Plover, ( Charadrius dlpricarius,) Tell- 
tale Snipe, (A. vociferus ;) and among the high grass 
which bordered the different inlets, vast quantities of the 
Sea-side Finch, ( Fringilla Marithna.) 
I witnessed among the Fish-Hawks, ( Falco Halisetus,) 
this day, a sight truly interesting and grand. The tide 
was ebbing fast, and leaving the numerous sand-bars in 
Warsaw Sound exposed to view, while in the shallow 
water between these bars, multitudes of fish could be seen 
sporting, enlivened as it were by the exhilarating influence 
of a vernal sun. To one of these spots more than any other, 
was the attention of the Fish Hawks drawn. High over 
this, sailing and counter-sailing, in circles, I counted thirty- 
seven of these noble birds, watching, with anxious eyes, 
the finny tribe sporting beneath them. For a considera- 
ble time, not a plunge was made by a single Hawk. They 
would soar to an immense height, and then descend as if 
anxious to strike their prey, and reap the reward of their 
efforts; but some counteracting power prevailed, and they 
continued their graceful evolutions in the air for a consider- 
able length of time. I thought my presence might be the 
cause of this, and I withdrew; and, at a distance, seated 
