UPLAND SHOOTING. 59 



utmost expedition. As you have made no enquiry of me con- 

 cerning tlie ornithological character of these birds, I have not 

 mentioned it, premising that you are already perfectly acquaint- 

 ed with their classification and description. In a short memoir, 

 written in 1803, and printed in the eighth volume o( the Medicd 

 Repositoii/, I ventured an opinion as to the genus and species. 

 Whellier 1 was correct is a technical matter, which I leave you' 

 to adjust. I am Avell aware that European accounts of our pro- 

 ductions are often erroneous, and require revision and amend- 

 ment. This you must perform. For me it remains to repeat 

 my joy at the opportunity your invitation has afforded me to 

 contribute somewhat to your elegant work, and at the same 

 time to assure you of my earnest hope that you may be favored 

 with ample means to complete it. 



"'Samuel L. Mitchill.' " 



" Duly sensible of the honor of the foregoing communication, 

 and grateful for the good wishes with which it is concluded, I 

 shall now, in further elucidation of the subject, subjoin a few 

 particulars, properly belonging to my own department. 



" It is somewhat extraordinary that the European naturalists, 

 in their various accounts of our different species of Grouse, should 

 have said little or nothing of the one now before us, which in its 

 voice, manners, and peculiarity of plumage, is the most singular, 

 and in its flesh the most excellent of all those of its tribe, that 

 inhabit the territory of the United States. It seems to have es- 

 caped Catesby, during his residence and different tours through 

 this country, and it was not till more than twenty years after his 

 return to England, viz., 1743, that he first saw some of these 

 birds, as he informs us, at Cheswick, the seat of the Earl of 

 Wilmington. His lordship said they came from America ; but 

 from what particular part could not tell. Buffon has confounded 

 it with the Ruffed Grouse, the Co3rMON Partridge of New 

 England, or Pheasant of Pennsylvania, ( Te/^ao Umbellus.) 

 Edwards and Pennant have, however, discovered that it is a 

 different species, but have said little of its note, of its flesh or 



