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
November 22, 1832
In the morning, lightly overcast sky. At seven thirty, 1/2°R [33.1°F, 0.6°C]. During my walk I came upon a flight of mourning doves (Columba carolinensis) near the fences of the town and shot one of them. A small falcon sat not far from them; I saw it too late. At twelve noon, temperature of 6°R [45.5°F, 7.5°C]. Several residents of Harmony are ailing. Because of his foot injury, Mr. Lesueur cannot leave the house. Today Mr. Bodmer finished the quaint sketch with the view of the church and Mr. Lesueur’ s house. In the afternoon forenoon I found a flight of wild doves (Columba carolinensis), which remain here for part of the winter, and shot one of them.
A small bird of prey slipped away from me. In addition, I obtained today a lovely Mergus cucullatus, unfortunately only the female, though a perfect specimen. An ordinary wild duck (Anas boschas fera) had also been bagged. In the evening Mr. Say paid us a visit and related some very interesting things about his journeys to the Rocky Mountains. Our parakeet with the wounded wing started eating today when given grains of corn; it is also already becoming somewhat tamer.