14 



suppose that other than practical, individual observa- 

 tion and a genuine love for his pursuits could have 

 enabled him to present to the admiring world a spe- 

 cimen of his genius and industry. How many, who 

 have read his " Biography of the Birds of America," 

 cast a glance at or for a moment think of the accom- 

 panying and purely scientific descriptions. They for- 

 get in the admiration of the naturalist, the precision 

 of his favorite science. Who, that peruses the no 

 less artless and beautiful essays on the same subject 

 in the works of Alexander Wilson, would fain per- 

 suade himself, that the pioneer of American Ornitho- 

 logy was an humble individual of ordinary talent and 

 acquirements, and that by industry, perseverance, in- 

 domitable zeal, and sincere love of his early predilec- 

 tions, he claimed the meed of fame awarded him. 



But while in this manner, endeavoring to justify 

 and promote a general study of Natural History, by 

 showing the facility of its pursuit ; still we do not 

 wish to depreciate the great value of system and or- 

 der. Could we remove the supposed difficulty, which 

 deters many from attempting to acquaint themselves 

 with the subject, the result is not to be feared. That, 

 is not only a truly beneficent plan of Providence, but 

 in its extended operations constitutes a glorious fea- 

 ture in the human character, which induces a farther 

 search and constancy increasing desire for knowledge, 

 from the pleasure and benefit arising from that already 

 acquired. On studies so extensive, I may almost 

 say, illimitable, the mind never can have a moment 

 for cessation to its improvement. Ten years of de- 



