THE CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW.

39

seldom seen beyond the limits of the Carolinas, but abounds in the lower portions of Alabama and Georgia. Repairing thither from Mexico, and still warmer regions, it may be regarded as the sign of Spring. The resorts of these birds are deep ravines, shady swamps and pine ridges. If surprised in their roosting places for the most part the hollows of trees, where they lodge, in company with bats—instead of trying to make their escape, they heroically assume the defensive, retire to the farthest corners of their retreat, ruffle all their feathers in great rage, and open their mouths to the widest while they utter, menacingly, a snakelike hissing. These birds show a remarkable attachment to certain localities for their rest or enjoyment. Like the whip-poor-will, so accustomed are they to take their ease in a dim retreat till twilight, that, if seized and brought to the light of day, they open and shut their eyes, as though unable to bear it. As swift as its relative when on wing, the flight of the chuck-will's-widow is even more graceful and elevated. It is performed by easy flappings, combined with sailing and curving motions, so elegant, that when seen soaring in the air over cotton fields or sugar plantations, mounting and descending with the dexterity and grace of a Taglioni, accompanying its evolutions with a low murmuring sound, it seems a very flying

fairy of the night. During these nocturnal journeys, in pursuit of food, suddenly its course is checked-a moth or beetle secured—when, continuing its flight, it passes and repasses hundreds of times over the same ground. Alighting on the tallest plant, it utters its note with unusual vivacity. Again on wing, it gives chase to insects in the air, at intervals skilfully poising itself upon the trunks of trees, in this manner ingeniously seizing the insects on the bark, while enabled, at the same time, to inspect the whole tree in search of prey. The curious sound of its clear and powerful note--chuckwill’s-widow-repeated six or seven times in as many seconds, forerunning, as it does, a calm and peaceful night, comes, borne along the winds with a soothing pensive pleasure to the listener. Its song is soldom heard in cloudy weather, and never during rain. It is singular, that though this bird exhibits the domestic affections in a remarkable degree, it forms no nest for the preservation of its young. A little hollow, carelessly scratched among dried leaves, is the only deposit for its eggs. This seems, indeed, rather the result of extraordinary instinct than of neglect, since, owing to no appearance of an aerial habitation existing to attract attention, the eggs are seldom found, without great difficulty. Should they be meddled with, it is instantly perceived by

BILLING AND COOING.

41

the parents, who, ruffling their feathers, with every sign of distress, and uttering a low plaintive cry, fly close along the ground, bearing the eggs in their mouths to some other verdurous and hidden retreat.

The wooing of these amiable birds is attended with demonstrations as elaborate as those attending the courtesies of the most refined society. A permissible degree of pomposity is showed by the male, who, alighting before his love, with droop ing wings, sings his appeal, with the most persuasive eloquence, whilst the lady, at first, silent and coy, is soon won; when, leaving the branch, they gambol through the air together.

4*

CHAPTER IV.

DURING the residence of Audubon at Hen

derson, his attention, potwithstanding his numerous ornithological researches, was not unfrequently directed to other kinds of scientific pursuits or exercises, more properly termed, perhaps, by the inhabitants of the State, Kentucky sports. The origin of that peculiar inclination and aptitude shown by the Kentuckians for the warlike diversions of nail driving, squirrel barking, and candle snuffing, is not improbably the long and sanguinary contest between the Virginian settlers and the Indians, · which took place before the superiority of the former could be established in the State. The settlers, incited by the indomitable courage of their renowned leader, and attracted by the wild luxuriance of the uncultivated soil, pressed with the unequalled enterprise of Americans, regardless of endurance, danger, or defeat, towards the shores of the Ohio. With an axe, a couple of horses, a heavy rifle, and store of ammunition, but with very light provision, trusting

JOURNEY TO THE OHIO.

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to the exuberance of the land to supply his wants, a man sets forth with his family. Guided only by the sun through dark and tangled forests, they pushed on, till compelled by weariness, they sought repose on the bare earth at night. Num. berless streams were crossed on rafts, women and children imitating the courage of the adventurers. Luggage and possessions were landed with greater difficulty, for the cattle, tempted by the rich pasturage, roved away, causing a delay of days. Meanwhile the wanderers were tortured with dread of the prowling ruthless In. dians harassing their march or menacing their slumbers. Some, travelling under pleasanter auspices were attended by wagons and negroes. An advance guard cut a way for them through the woods, and when overtaken by night, the bold hunter attachés of the party, loaded with the dainties of the forest, hastened to their place of encampment.

Then it was that the sounds of merriment told all was well. Soon the flesh of buffaloes or deer was laid in deliciously.cooked slices before the embers, while cakes, flavoured by the rich viands, were quickly baked. Wagon-loads of comfortable bedding were unloaded, and horses too had their pleasant recreation midst the luxuriant undergrowth of the woods, caparisoned only with a light bell to guide their owners in