f the swamps of Louisiana; and thither they directed
their steps.

Sure enough, on arriving at the borders of the lagoon, a singular scene
was presented to their eyes. The whole surface of the lake appeared
alive with various forms of birds and reptiles. Hundreds of alligators
were seen, lying like dead trees upon the water, their corrugated backs
appearing above the surface. Most of them, however, were in motion,
swimming to and fro, or darting rapidly from point to point, as if in
pursuit of prey. Now and then their huge tails could be seen curling
high up in air, and then striking down upon the water, causing a
concussion that echoed far through the forest. At intervals a shining
object, flung upward by their tails, could be seen for a moment in the
air, amidst the showery spray that was raised along with it. It was
easy to see that the glittering forms thus projected were fishes, and
that it was the pursuit of these that was causing the commotion among
the huge reptiles. Aquatic birds, of a great number of kinds, were
equally busy in the pursuit of the fish. Huge pelicans stood up to
their tibia in the water--now and then immersing their long mandibles
and tossing their finny victims high into the air. Cranes and herons
too were there--among others the tall Louisiana crane--conspicuous among
the smaller species--snow-white egrets, the wood ibis, and others of
white and roseate hue--the snake-darter, with long pointed beak and
crouching serpent-like neck--the qua-bird, of lugubrious note and
melancholy aspect--and, fairest of all, the scarlet flamingo.

Other birds besides those of aquatic habits took part in the odd
spectacle. Hovering in the air were black vultures--the carrion crow
and the turkey-buzzard--and upon the tops of tall dead trees could be
seen the king of the feathered multitude, the great white-headed eagle.
His congener, the osprey, soared craftily above--at intervals swooping
down, and striking his talons into the fish, which the alligators had
tossed into the air--thus robbing the reptiles of their prey, to be
robbed in turn by his watchful cousin-german upon the tree. The
spectacle was far from being a silent one: on the contrary, the confused
chorus of sounds was deafening to the ears of the spectators. The
hoarse bellowing of the alligators--the concussions made by their great
tails striking the water--the croaking of the pelicans, and the
clattering of their huge mandibles--the dol