Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/255

Rh found, numerous birds procured, and some good observations recorded. "The Scoter Ducks, of which I have seen many this day, were partially moulted, and could fly only a short distance, and must be either barren or the young bachelors, as I find parents in full plumage, convincing me that these former moult earlier than the breeding Ducks."

In 1843 Audubon made an expedition in the interest of the 'Quadrupeds of North America,' the narrative of which constitutes "The Missouri River Journals," and which is now in its entirety published for the first time. There is a great charm in the naturalist's account of a region which, as he saw it then, can never be witnessed again. The old frontier life, the wretched Indians, and the then abundant big game, are soberly described, and we read:—"We have seen much remarkably handsome scenery, but nothing at all comparing with Catlin's descriptions; his book must, after all, be altogether a humbug."

The "Episodes" which conclude the second volume exhibit Audubon as an adept in that most difficult literary art of "short story" writing, and in these days of popular reprints we shall never be surprised to see them reissued in a separate form. Dr. Elliott Coues has proved an efficient zoological editor throughout, and has contributed many valuable notes. Audubon was clearly not an all-round zoologist, for not only does he seem to make the very common and excusable error of most travellers respecting the identity of the Dolphin, but also on more than one occasion speaks of the Porpoise as a fish.

was one of those unique personalities with whom contact invariably produced friendship. Combined with this rare gift of provoking attachment, and being void of offence, he possessed the instincts of a true naturalist, and was endowed with many intellectual gifts; but in a world of limitations and compensations he was cursed with persistent ill health, which curtailed his official career, but could not prevent his rendering signal