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
October 25, 1832
Cold in the morning; at a quarter past eight, still 1 1/2°R [35.4°F, 1.9°C]. The day was bright and beautiful but always rather cool. Mr. Bodmer sketched on the island, where he saw the parakeets (Psitt. carolinensis). These birds usually remain here all winter and plunder all ripe fruits, especially apples. They are said to like a certain prickly fruit (Xanthium strumarium) especially. Mr. Hall shot one of these birds but could not find it. Dreidoppel, too, saw parakeets. Since I was still indisposed, I did not leave the house today. Visit from Mr. Lesueur.
