368 Stone, Letters of Alexander Wilson and John Abbot. [oct 



a Loon once brought me alive of a plain color like a goose it was 

 30 Is. in length ext. 53 bill 3£ long very sharp, roof of the mouth 

 serrated. When found by the person in a path after a high wind 

 it made immediately at him and struck him in his leg to the bone, 

 its note or cry very loud and hollow. 



The Soree certainly breeds here, there is numbers of the young 

 ones in the Rice fields in the Summer, they differ materially from 

 the Adults, I thought from the neatness of their marks & bright- 

 ness of color (not usual in young birds) that they were a distinct 

 species, 'till killing one late in Autumn more advanced in plumage 

 convinced me of my mistake but no bird differs more in its growth 

 than the large streaked Heron. I should have never believed 

 them to be the same had I not killed them in the middle stages of 

 plumage. 



I will with pleasure give you any information you desire of any 

 other birds or of several species of land Birds I am acquainted 

 with if you desire it that I have not yet seen described in Mr. Wil- 

 son's work. Are you acquainted with the female yet of the Louis- 

 iana Kite. I have not yet procured one but observed sev 1 flying 

 last spring in Company with the males. I tried in vain to shoot 

 one but could sev 1 times have killed the males the tail appeared 

 to be barred with brown. And remain Sir, with respect 

 Your obedient humble servant 



John Abbot 



George Ord Esq. 

 Philadelphia 



