The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-09-01
THE DAILY. DISPATCH.
Iris-shooting in the Swamps of Louisiana.

of the warm climates, and Is not found in either
the northern or middle States-the tropics, and
the countries contiguous to them, are its range
Louisiana, from its low elevation; possesses almost
tropical climate and the ibis of several varieties,
Is to be there met with in considerable numbers
There are few sorts OF game have not followed
with horse, hound, or gum and, among other sports,
have gone ibis-shooting: II was not so much tor
the sport, however, that wished to obtain some
specimens for mounting. An adventure befell me
In one of these excursions that may interest the
reader. The Southern part OF the state of Louisi-
ana is one vast labyrinth of swamps, bayous. and
lagoons These bayous are sluggish streams that
glide sleepily along, sometimes running one way
and sometimes the very opposite, according to the
season Many of them are outlets of the great
Mississippi which begins shed Oft its waters
than 800 miles from its mouth. These bayous are
deep, sometimes wide, with slets in their midst
They and their contiguous swaInps are the great
habitat of the alligator and the fresliwater shark
the gar. Numerous species OF water and wading
fowl iy over them, and plunge through their dark
tide. Here you may see the red damingo, the
egret, the trumpeterswan, the blue heron, the
wild goose the crane, the snakebIrd, the pelican,
and the ibis; you may likewise see the osprey, and
the white-headed eagle robbing him of his prey
These swamps and bayous produce abundantly fish,
reptile and insect, and are consequently the favo-
rite resort of hundreds OF birds which prey upon
these creatures. In some places, the bayous form
a complete net work over the country, which you
may traverse with small boat IN almost any direc
ton; indeed, this is the means by which many set
Elements communicate with each other. As you
approach southwark towards the Gulf, you get
clear of the TIMBER and within some fifty miles of
the sea- there is not free to be seen.
If was near the edge of this open country went
ibis-shooting. had set out from small French
Creole settlement, with other company than
my gun; even without dog, as my favorte spaniel
had the day before been bitten by alligator while
swimming across bayou. | went of course in
boat light skff, such is commonly used by the
Inhabitants of the country.
Occasionally using the paddles ] allowed myself
to float some tour or FIVE miles down the main ba-
you; but as the birds was in search OF did not ap
pear, | struck into a branch, and sculled myself
up stream. This carried me through solitary re-
gion, with mashes stretching as far the eye
could see, covered with tall reeds. There was no
habitation, nor aught that betokened the presence
of man. 1t was just possible that was the first
human being who had ever found motive for pro-
pelling boat through the dark waters of this soli-
tary stream. As advanced, | fell in with my
game and succeeded in bagging several, both OF
the great wood-ibis and the white species | also
shot fine whiteheaded eagle (Fdlc0 ieuc0cephaJHs,)
which came soaring ever my boat unconscious of
danger. But the bird which most wanted seemed
that which could not be obtained. | wanted the
scarlet ibis.
think had rowed some three miles upstream
and was about to take i'll my oars and leave my
boat to float back again, when | perceived that,
little further up, the bayou widened. Curiosity
prompted me to continue; and after pulling few
oblong lake, mile so in length. Ii was deep,
dark marshy around the shores, and full of alliga-
tors. | saw their ugly forms and long serrated
backs, they oated about in all parts of it, hun
grily hunting for fish and eating one another but
all this nothing new, for had witnessed SINH
lar scenes during the whole of my excursion
What drew my attention most, was small islet
near the middle of the lake, upon one end OF
which stood row OF upright forms OF bright
scarlet COLOR these red creatures were the very OBJ
Jects was in search Of They might be fiamin goes:
| could not tell at that distance. So much the bet
ter, If | could only succeed In getting shot at
them; but these creatures are even more wary
than the ibis; and as the iset was low and altoge
ther without cover it was not likely they would al
low me to come within range: nevertheless, was
determined to make the attempt | rowed up the
lake. occasionally turning my head to see il the
game had taken the alarm. The was hot and
dazzling; and as the bright scarlet was magnited
by retraction fancied for long time they were
aamingoes. This fancy was dissipated as drew
near. The outlines of the bills, like the blade of
sabre, convinced me they were the ibis besides,
saw that they only about three feet i'll height
while the flamingoes stand five. There were do
zen of them IN all. These were balancing them
selves is their usual habit ON leg, apparent
ly asleep, or buried in deep thought They were on
the upper extremity of the islet while was ap.
preaching it from below. It was not above sixty
yards across and could | only reach the point
nearest me, knew my gun would throw shot to
kill at that distance. | feared the stroke of the
cautiously. Perhaps the heat-for it as hot
day as can remember-had rendered them torpid
or lazy. Whether or not they sat still until the
cutwater OF my skitf touched the bank of the slet
| drew my gun up cautiously, took aim, and fired
both barrels almost simultaneously. When the
smoke cleared out of my eyes, | that all the
birds had flown off except one that lay stretched
out by the edge of the water. Gun in hand, leap
ed out of the boat, and across the iset to bag
my game. This occupied but few minutes; and
was turning to go back to the skltf, when, to my
CONSERVATION, saw out upon the lake and rapidly
floating downward In my haste had left it un-
fastened, and the bayou current had carried it of
1t was still but hundred yards off; but it might as
wei have been hundred miles, for at that time
could not swim stroke
My irst impulse was to rush down to the lake,
and after the boat this impulse checked on ar
irving at the waters edge, which saw at glance
was iathoms in depth. Quick reflection told me
that the boat was gone-irrecoyerably gonei
did not at first comprehend the full peril of my
situation nor win you was on an islet in lake,
only half mile from its shores-alone, it is true
and without boat; but what of thatl Many a
man had been so before with not an idea OF danger
These were first thoughts natural enough but
they rapidly gave place to others of far different
character. When gazed after my boat, now be-
yond recovery-when looked around and saw
that the lake lay in the middle of an nterminable
swamp the shores of which, even could | have
reached them, did not seem to promise me foot
ing-when reelected that, being unable to swim,
| could not reach theni-that upon the iset there
neither tree nor log, nor bush not stick out
of which / might make a raft say, when re-
feeted upon all these things, there arose in my
mind feeling Of welldetined and absolute horror.
1t is true was only in lake, mile or so in
width but far the peril and helpessness of my
situation were concerned. | might as well have
been upon rock in the middle OF the Atlantic.
knew that t.ere was no settlement within miles
miles OF pattless swamp. knew that no one could
either see or hear memo one was at all likely to
come the lake; indeed, felt satisfied that my
faithless boat the first keel that had ever cut
its waters The very tameness of the birds wheeling
round my head, was evidence of this. felt satis-
fed too, that without some one to help me, should
never go cut from that lake: must die on the slet
or drown iD attempting TO leave it.
These reflections rolled rapidly over my startled
soul The facts wereclear, the hypothesis definite,
the sequence certain there was no ambiguity, no
suppositious hinge upon which could hang hope,
no, not one. | could not even expect that should
be missed and sought for; there no to search
Tor me. The simple h1bitdas of the village had
len knew me not was a stranger among them:
they only knew me as stranger. and fancIed me a
strange individual; one who made lonely excur-
sions, and brought home bunches of weeds, with
birds, insects and reptiles, which they had never
before seen, although gathered at their own doors
Ny absence besides. would be nothing new to them
even though il lasted for days. had often been alb
sent before week at time. There was no hope
Of my being missed.
have said that these reflections came and passed
quickly. In less than minute, my affrighted soul
was IN full possession Of them, and almost yielded
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