clviii 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
phia. My route up the Hudson afforded great pleasure, mingled 
with frequent regret that you were not along with me, to share 
the enjoyment. About thirty miles south of Albany we passed 
within ten miles of the celebrated Catskill mountains, a gigan- 
tic group, clothed with forest to the summits. In the river here 
I found our common reed [Zizania aquatica) growing in great 
abundance in shoals extending along the middle of the river. I 
saw flocks of Red-wings, and some Black Ducks, but no Rail, 
or Reed-birds. 
* W 
“From this place my journey led me over a rugged, moun- 
tainous country, to Lake Champlain, along which I coasted as 
far as Burlington in Vermont. Here I found the little Coot-foot- 
ed Tringa or Phalarope* that you sent to Mr. Peale; a new and 
elegantly marked Hawk; and observed some Black Ducks. 
The shores are alternate sandy bays, and rocky headlands run- 
ning into the lake. Every tavern was crowded with officers, 
soldiers and travellers. Eight of us were left without a bed; 
but having an excellent great coat, I laid myself down in a cor- 
ner, with a determination of sleeping in defiance of the uproar 
of the house, and the rage of my companions, who would not 
disgrace themselves by a prostration of this sort. 
* » * * 
“ From Lake Champlain I traversed a rude mountainous re- 
gion to Connecticut river, one hundred miles above Dartmouth 
College. I spent several days with the gun in Groton, and Rye- 
gate townships, and made some discoveries. From this I coast- 
ed along the Connecticut to a place called Haverhill, ten miles 
from the foot of Moose-hillock, one of the highest of the JVhite 
Mountains of New Hampshire. I spent the greater part of a day 
in ascending to the peak of one of these majestic mountains, 
whence I had the most sublime and astonishing view that was 
ever aflbrded me. One immensity of forest lay below, extended 
on all sides to the farthest verge of the horizon; while the only 
prominent objects were the columns of smoke from burning 
* P. Fulicarius. 
