Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-13

Islands and Sand keys of East Florida. The
writer of this has had the pleasure of conversing
with Mr.. Audubon since his return, and OF ex'
aiming the valuable collection which he has
brought with him. and ventures to send for pub.
LEGATION in your paper, hasty sketch OF what ap'
pears to him as particularly deserving The atteh-
ton of the Naturalist.
MIR. Audubon left Charleston on the 18th OF
April last, in the Revenue Cutter Marion. Inc
use of this vessel had been generously allowed
him by our Government. In addition to this, eve.
~ facility was afforded him by the Collector Of
our port; and the skill, vigilance, and untir!ng
zeal of Captain Day and his Officers, are spoken
of by Mr.. A. with unqualified appreciation. fos.
sessing the above facilities. he has been enabled
to visit at least one hundred and fifty Of the Keys
along the Southern Coast Of Florida, and has
brought to our city collection Of specimens IN
Natural History, which was with difficulty con-
veyed through our city in FIVE cart loads.
This collection consists of Plants, Seeds, Shells,
Coral, Amphibious Animals. and the SKINS OF
Ouadrupeds and Birds. Unlocking over his beau
tifu drawings of Plants, and the Roots and Shrubs
he has brought with him in boxes, we were struck
with the idea that much remains to be done IN our
newly acquired Territory in the Department OF
Botany, as none of the Plants he has brought are
described in Elliott, and many of them appear
to be altogether new. OF Shells, he has brought
about 6 barrels, and in the department OF Orn''
tholosy, to which he has devoted so many years
CT his life, and traversed almost every portion OF
our wide extended country, he has been unusual
ly successful. He has brought the skins OF up
wards of five hundred and fifty Birds, principal
ly OF the larger species. VI these, most are
rare Birds in this part OF our country-and Sc
ven species at least are new, and have never been
described or noticed by any American Ornitho'
losist. Of these, one is Heron, (Ardea( snowy
white, crested, but without train, in weight and
size more than double that OF our large WINNIE
Heron. (Ardea Alba) and is the largestand mos
beautiful Heron that has yet been discovered
Strange, that after our country has been so care
fully searched by those distinguished ornitnolo
gists, Wilson, Ord, Bonaparte, Peale and NJ
tall, it should remain for Audubon to discover ~
the very heart of our country, the largest Eagle
in the world. (Falco Washing touiD and now also
the largest Heron.
OF this beautiful Bird, he has not only brought
eleven stuffed specimens, but four living young
ones in fiae order, which are likely to do well,
and although but three weeks since they were ia
ken from the nest, they are already larger than
our large Blue Heron. (Ardea Herodas;) Cue
koo. little larger than either of our other two
species; Fly Catcher, (Musicapa) somewhat
larger than our common King Bird; (MusicaPa
Tyranus;, two species of Terms, (Sterna) and
two species of Pigeons, COLUMBIA one OF which,
the writer considers the finest that has yet been
discovered-it is somewhat larger than the Ze
mazda Dove, Colombia Zena,daj with the upper
surface of its body of a bronze color, exhibiting
metallic changes. In addition to these new dis
coveries. he has also visited the breeding places,
and ascertaned the habits OF many Birds that have
heretofore beea but little known. He has col
lected the eggs and young Of almost every spe'
cies which he has brought, among which we re-
cosnize those Of all the Herons that inhabit the
United States--the Man-of war Bird. or Frlgate
Pelican, (Tachvpetes Aquilus;) the Cermorant'
(Pbalacroran Graculus;) the Brown Pelican, re
licames Fusets;) the Buoby, (Sula Fusca; the
Noddv. (Sterna Stolida;) the White Ibis, (lbls
AIba;l and four species Of Pigeons, Of which very
little has been hitherto known.
The labor requisite to the pursuits IN which
AUDUBON is engaged, must be immense. In or
der TO render his scientific and beautiful work de.
serving Of the patronage Of his countrymen, and
a monument of his industry and talents, he has
traversed our Northern wilderness, along the
borders of our immense lakes-he has followed
the rivers of the Arkansas, Mississippi and Mis-
souri-he has watched the sonssters OF our tores
for years in succession, in Pennsylvania, Ken
lucky and I.ousiaua-has during the last winter
explored the swamps, the mangrove thlckets' and
sandy keys of Florida, and it is probable that MS
untring zeal will soon carry him over the rocky
mountains. and that his labor will not be RENTED
till he arrives al the Pacific ocean.
In conclusion, we cannot repress the hope, that
the zeal and talents of AUDUBON, may meet with
= reward in some respect commensurate with
his merits.
From, the Norfolk Herald.
VAN buren, HoTEL-A gentleman OF the
Van Buren, party, goingto his othce the Other