Four-and-a-Half Months’ Stay in New Harmony
Description of the region – Natural history – Messrs. Say, Lesueur, and Owen – Hunting excursions in Indiana and Illinois – Wabash, Fox River – Illinois prairies – Albion – Black River – Mr. Bodmer’s trip to New Orleans
January 28, 1833
In the morning, beautiful, bright sky, light frost. At seven thirty, −3°R [25.3°F, −3.8°C]. Today I sketched the head of the local urubu (turkey buzzard) from life. Dreidoppel crossed the Wabash ferry to shoot an owl that we had been told nested in a hollow tree there. I drew the He did not find it, but the workers on the flatboats, who had probably shot it, gave it to him. It was a Strix asio Linn. At noon, bright sunshine. Temperature of 7 3/4°R [49.4°F, 9.7°C] in the shade. A short walk in the afternoon; work at home afterward. Visit that evening at the home of Mr. Say.