Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-08-25
GBe Storp Gtlltr.
IBIS-SHOOTING
In the Swamps of Louisiana,
A uNIIDII INC nNENTITRE

Gus and interesting of American birds; it is a
creature 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 eli
mate; and the ibis, of several varieties, is to
be there met with in considerable numbers.
There are few sorts of game ! have not fol-
lowed with horse, hound, or gun; and among
other sports, / have gone fsh-shooting: it was
not so much for the sport, however, as that
wished to obtain some specimens for mount
ing. An adventure befell me in one of these
excursions, that may interest the reader
The southern part of the state of Louisiana is
one vast labyrinth of swamps, bayous, and la
goons. These bayous are sluggish streams
that glide sleepily along; sometimes running
one way, and sometimes the very opposite, ac-
cording to the season. Many of them are out
lets of the great Mississippi, which begins to
shed off its waters more than 800 miles from
its mouth. These bayous are deep, some
times wide, with islets in their midst. They
and their contiguous swamps are the great
habitat of the alligator and the fresh water
shark-the gar. Numerous species of water
and wading fowl fly over them, and plunge
through their dark tide. Here you may see
the red famingo, the egret, the trumpeter-
swan, the blue heron, the wild goose, the
crane, the snake-bird, 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 favorite resort of hundreds
of birds which prey upon these creatures. In
some places, the bayous form complete net
work over the country, which you may trav-
erse with small boat in almost any drec-
ton; indeed, this is the means by which
many settlements communicate with each 9th
er. As you approach southwark towards the
Gulf, you get clear of the TIMBER and within
some fifty miles Of the sea there is not a tree
to be seen. .
1t was near the edge of this open country,
went ibis-shooting. / had set out from
small French or Creole settlement, with no
other companion than my gun; even without
dog, as my favorite spaniel had the day before
been bitten by an alligator, while swimming
across bayou. | went of course in boat,
light skiff, such as is commonly used by the
inhabitants of the country.
Occasionally using the paddles, allowed
myself to float some four five miles down
the main bayou; but as the birds | was in
search of did not appear, L struck into
'branch, and sculled myself up stream. This
carried me through solitary region, with
marshes stretching as far as the eye could see,
covered with tall reeds There was no habi-
tation, nor aught that betokened the presence
of man. 1t was just possible that | was the
first human being who had ever found mo-
tive for propelling boat through the dark
waters Of this solitary stream AS ad-
vanced, fell in with my game; and / sue
ceeded in bagging several, both of the great
wood ibis, and the white species. also shot
fine white-headed eagle (Fdlco beucocephat1s)
which came soaring over 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 I'D
stream, and was about to take in my oars and
leave my boat to float back again, when /
perceived that, a little further up, the bayou
wideRed. Curiosity prompted me to contin-
ne; and after pulling few hundred strokes
further, found myself at the end of an OBJ
long lake, mile or so in length. 1t was
deep, dark, marshy around the shores, and
full of alligators. / saw their ugly forms
and long serrated backs, as they foated about
in all parts of it, hungrily hunting for fish and
eating one another; but all this was nothing
new, for / had witnessed similar scenes during
the whole of my excursion. What drew nv
attention most was small islet near the mid
die of the lake, upon one end of which stood a
row of upright forms of bright scarlet color;
these red creatures were the very objects
was in search of. They might be famingoes;
| could not tell at that distance So much the
better, if could only succeed in getting
shot at them; but these creatures are even
more wary than the ibis; and as the iset was
AOW, ohu olOOSCIlOA CONer, ii was not
likely they would allow me to come within
range; nevertheless was determined to make
the attempt. rowed up the lake, occasional
ly turning my head to see if the game had tax
en- the alarm. The sun was hot and dazzling;
and as the bright scarlet was magnifed by re-
fraction, fancied for long time they were
famingoes. This fancy was dissipated as |
drew near The outlines of the bills, like the
blade of sabre, convinced me they were the
ibis; besides, / now saw that they were only
about three feet five in height, while the fla
mingoes stand FIVE. There were a dozen of
them in all. They were balancing themselves
as Is their usual habit, on one leg, apparently
asleep, or buried in deep thought. They were
on the upper extremity of the isIet, while l
was approaching it from below. It was not
above sixty yards across and could only
reach the point nearest to me, knew nv GUN
would throw shot TO kill at that distance
feared the stroke of the sculls would start
them, and pulled slowly and cautiouslv.-
Perhaps the great heat-for it was as hot a
day as can remember--had rendered them
4nvni1 layw WLo.L.. - - H.. -. IN