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Show Page 55 Indeed not. There were ever so many things to look at, most new to my eye and ear. So many trees I never saw in England, so thick and far-reaching. It was difficult for me to tell at a distance, but it looked as though there was little undergrowth amongst the trees, which stood far apart yet cast a deep shade. Once I saw a flash of scarlet and later a flash of brilliant blue amongst the trees ashore and turned to ask one of the Johns what I had seen. "A Virginian nightingale," said John Boys. "Some people call it a cardinal. Its song reminds folks longing for England of the nightingale's song. The blue flash was likely a bluebird though I admit it is not too clever a name for the creature. "It's a pity the pigeons have not flown over today. Then you would be in a fine froth at the sight of so many creatures of the sky. Why, at times the flock is so immense it takes three or four hours to pass and the noise of their wings is like thunder- They make good eating too." With that he rubbed his lean stomach, and as if the thought of food was enough to start a hunger, turned to a pack beside him. He removed the well-browned carcass of a large bird, which he proceeded to tear into pieces and hand around. "Turkey," he explained. "It was shot yesterday by William Spense, who gladly gave it me since he had three others, much larger in size." |
