The Philadelphia journals communicate some particulars of the journey of
this enterprising naturalist into E. Florida. He has discovered, shot,
and drawn a new Ibis, which he has named _Tantalus fuscus_. In a letter,
he says
"I have discovered three different new species of Heath, one bearing a
yellow blossom, the two others a red and purple one;--also, a beautiful
new Kalmia, and several extraordinary parasitical plants, bearing some
resemblance to the pineapple plant, growing on the _eastern_ side of the
cyprus tree in swamps, about 6 or 10 feet above the water.
"During my late excursion I almost became an amphibious being--spending
the most of my days in the water, and by night pitching my tent on the
barren sands. Whilst I remained at Spring Garden, the alligators were
yet in full life; the white-headed eagles setting; the smaller resident
birds paring; and strange to say, the warblers which migrate, moving
easterly every warm day, and returning every cold day, a curious
circumstance, tending to illustrate certain principles in natural
economy."
Six boxes of prepared skins of birds, &c. as well as a number of choice
shells, seeds, roots, &c. the result of Audubon's researches, have been
received in Charleston.
"In this collection there are between four and five hundred skins of
Birds, several of them rare in this part of the United States--some that
are never found here, and a few that have not yet been described. Of
these are two of the species of Pelican (Pelicanus) not described by
Wilson. The Parrot (psittacus Carolinensis); the palm warbler of
Buonaparte (Silvia palmerea), and the Florida Jay, a beautiful bird
without the crest, so common in that genus.
"Among the new discoveries of Audubon in Florida, we perceive a noble
bird partaking of the appearance both of the Falcon and Vulture tribes,
which would seem to be a connecting link between the two. His habits
too, it is said, partake of his appearance, he being alternately a bird
of prey, and feeding on the same food with the Vultures. This bird
remains yet to be described, and will add not only a new species, but a
new genus to the birds of the United States. We perceive also in Mr.
Audubon's collection, a new species of Coot (Fulica).[9]
[9] Abridged from printed extracts furnished by our
correspondent, M.L.B.
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