![]() BENJAMIN STROBEL, had reference to the Flamingoes, and I felt gratified by learning that he had killed a good number of them, and that he would assist us in procuring some. When I reached Key West, my first inquiries, addressed to Dr. EGAN then told me that these birds habitually returned to their feeding-grounds toward evening, that they fed during the greater part of the night, and were much more nocturnal in their habits than any of the Heron tribe. I however watched their motions until dusk, when we reluctantly left the spot and advanced toward Indian Key. "Now they come," said the pilot, "keep low." This we did but, alas! the Flamingoes were all, as I suppose, very old and experienced birds, with the exception of one, for on turning round the lower end of the Key, they spied our boat again, sailed away without flapping their wings, and alighted about four hundred yards from us, and upwards of one hundred from the shore, on a "soap flat" of vast extent, where neither boat nor man could approach them. EGAN, however, assured us that they would fly round the Key, and alight not far from us, in less than ten minutes, which in fact they did, although to me these minutes seemed almost hours. The birds were now, as I thought, within a hundred and fifty yards when suddenly, to our extreme disappointment, their chief veered away, and was of course followed by the rest. ![]() He was a first-rate shot, and had already killed many Flamingoes. EGAN, proposed to offer the first taste of his "groceries" to the leader of the band. I followed them with my eyes, watching as it were every beat of their wings and as they were rapidly advancing towards us, Captain DAY, who was aware of my anxiety to procure some, had every man stowed away out of sight and our gunners in readiness. Ah! reader, could you but know the emotions that then agitated my breast! I thought I had now reached the height of all my expectations, for my voyage to the Floridas was undertaken in a great measure for the purpose of studying these lovely birds in their own beautiful islands. Far away to seaward we spied a flock of Flamingoes advancing in "Indian line," with well-spread wings, outstretched necks, and long legs directed backwards. Our bark was propelled almost as if by magic, for scarcely was a ripple raised by her bows as we moved in silence. ![]() The sun, now far advanced toward the horizon, still shone with full splendour, the ocean around glittered in its quiet beauty, and the light fleecy clouds that here and there spotted the heavens, seemed flakes of snow margined with gold. It was on the afternoon of one of those sultry days which, in that portion of the country, exhibit towards evening the most glorious effulgence that can be conceived. On the 7th of May, 1832, while sailing from Indian Key, one of the numerous islets that skirt the south-eastern coast of the Peninsula of Florida, I for the first time saw a flock of Flamingoes. John James Audubon’s Journal Entry Regarding the American Flamingo: See some examples of how people use their Audubon art prints, posters, wall art and wall decor by clicking the “DECOR IDEAS” link at the bottom of the page. Each Audubon art print is hand created to deliver a beautiful work of art to your home.
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