Birds With No Feet Summary

The story begins in 1853. Alec Carrière, the protagonist of the story, was raised poor near Philadelphia and has determined to make his fortune and fame by traveling the world collecting rare specimens of animals, plants, and minerals. While an apprentice in a leather-valise-making shop, he learned of science. He is self-educated, young, ambitious, and very energetic. His collections will bring enormous sums when sold in the United States to various museums and organizations. Carrière has spent the past few years in the Amazon rainforest basin, amassing a huge and valuable collection. On his return voyage, he is aboard a sailing ship that catches fire in the galley. As Carrière watches from a lifeboat, the entire ship is engulfed in flames and his vast collections either burn or sink. As he watches his fortunes vanish...