In the autumn and in the spring there come a great many geese, which are very good, and easy to shoot, inasmuch as they congregate together in such large flocks. There are two kinds of partridges; the one sort are quite as small as quails and the other like the ordinary kind here. There are also hares, but few in number, and not larger than a middle-sized rabbit; and they principally frequent where the land is rocky. This, sir, is what I have been able to communicate to you from memory, respecting New Netherland and its neighborhood, in discharge of my bounden duty. I beg that the same may so be favorably received by you, and I beg to recommend myself for such further service as you may be pleased to command me in, wherever you may find me. In everything your faithful servant, ISAACK DE RASIERES. Bibliographical Note The standard sources of information on early Plymouth are quickly named: William Bradford, _Of Plymouth Plantation_ (1952, or other edition); the items in Alexander Young (ed.), _Chronicles of the Pilgrim Fathers_ (1844), most of which were printed for “Everyman’s Library” under the same title, 1910; and G. F. Willison, _The Pilgrim Reader_ (1953). Other books which proved useful in the preparation of this one have been cited in footnotes. In addition to these, several ought to receive notice. On John Pory there are articles in _Dictionary of National Biography_ (by Charlotte Fell-Smith) and _Dictionary of American Biography_ (by A. C. Gordon, Jr.). See also Leo Africanus, _The History and Description of Africa_, translated by John Pory, ed. and intro. by Robert Brown (1896); W. F. Craven, _Dissolution of the Virginia Company_ (1932) and _The Southern Colonies in the Seventeenth Century_ (1949); S. M. Kingsbury (ed.), _Records of the Virginia Company of London_ (1933, 1935), III, IV; Mass. Hist. Soc., _Collections_, fourth series, IX, 8-47; J. H. R. Yardley, _Before the Mayflower_ (1931). Emmanuel Altham’s name until now has been virtually missing from the Pilgrim literature. The late Dr. Otto Fisher, of Detroit, had a file containing such information as exists on Altham and his family, compiled by Victor C. Sanborn and Oliver R. Barrett with the aid of correspondents in England. Dr. Fisher kindly let the editor of this volume use the file. The life of Isaack de Rasieres is covered and illuminated by J. F. Jameson, “Introduction” to “Letter of Isaack de Rasieres to Samuel Blommaert, 1628 (?),” _Narratives of New Netherland, 1609-1664_ (“Original Narratives of Early American History”; 1909), 98-99; and “Letter from Isaack de Rasière to the Amsterdam Chamber of the West India Company, September 23, 1626,” in A. J. F. van Laer (translator and editor), _Documents Relating to New Netherland, 1624-1626, in the Henry E. Huntington Library_ (1924), 171-251, 260-276. See also A. C. Flick (editor), _History of the State of New York_ (1933), I, II.