. Audubon and his journals [microform]. Birds; Ornithology; Oiseaux; Ornithologie. 364 AUDUBON the distant reefs. As we were proceeding towards some Keys seldom visited by men, the sun rose from the bosom of the waters with a burst of glory that flashed on my soul the idea of that power wh'ch called into existence so mag- nificent an object. The moon, thin and pale, as if ashamed to show her feeble light, concealed herself in the dim west. The surfiace of the waters shone in its tremulous sn^ooth- ness, and the deep blue of the clear heavens was pure as the world that lies beyond them. The Her
. Audubon and his journals [microform]. Birds; Ornithology; Oiseaux; Ornithologie. 364 AUDUBON the distant reefs. As we were proceeding towards some Keys seldom visited by men, the sun rose from the bosom of the waters with a burst of glory that flashed on my soul the idea of that power wh'ch called into existence so mag- nificent an object. The moon, thin and pale, as if ashamed to show her feeble light, concealed herself in the dim west. The surfiace of the waters shone in its tremulous sn^ooth- ness, and the deep blue of the clear heavens was pure as the world that lies beyond them. The Heron heavily flew towards the land, like a glutton retiring at daybreak, with well lined paunch, from the house of some wealthy patron of good cheer. The Night Heron and the Owl, fearful of day, with hurried flight sought safety in the recesses of the deepest swamps; while the Gulls and Terns, ever cheerful, gambolled over the water, exulting in the pros- pect of abundance. I also exulted in hope, my whole frame seemed to expand; and our sturdy crew showed by their merry faces that nature had charms for them too. How much of beauty and joy is lost to them who never view the rising sun, and of whose waking existence, the best half is nocturnal. Twenty miles our men had to row before we reached " Sandy Island," and as on its level shores we all leaped, we plainly saw the southernmost cape of the Foridas. The flocks of birds that covered the shelly beaches, and those hovering overhead, so astonished us that we could for a while scarcely believe our eyes. The first volley procured a supply of food sufficient for two days' consumption. Such tales, you have already been told, are well enough at a distance from the place to which they refer; but you will doubtless be still more surprised when I tell you that our first fire among a crowd of the Great Godwits laid prostrate sixty-five of these birds. Rose-colored Curlews stalked gracefully beneath the mangroves. Purple Herons ro
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectorn
