LIFE OF WILSON. liii 



from spring to fall, and never but on me tops of the tallest trees, 

 from which it perpetually serenades us with some of the sweet- 

 est notes, and as clear as those of the nightingale. I have fol- 

 lowed it for miles without ever, but once, getting a good view 

 of it. It is of the size and make of the Mocking-bird, lightly 

 thrush-coloured on the back, and a grayish-white on the breast 

 and belly. Mr. Randolph, my son-in-law, was in possession of 

 one which had been shot by a neighbour; he pronounces this 

 also a Muscicapa, and I think it much resembling the Mouche- 

 rolle de la Martinique, 8 Buffon, 374, PI. enlum. 568. As it 

 abounds in all the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, you may per- 

 haps by patience and perseverance (of which much will be re- 

 quisite) get a sight, if not a possession of it. I have for twenty 

 years interested the young sportsmen of my neighbourhood to 

 shoot me one; but as yet without success. Accept my saluta- 

 tions and assurances of respect. 



TH. JEFFERSON. 



TO MR. WM. BARTRAM. 



April 18th, 1805. 



" By Mr. Jefferson's condescending and very intelligent let- 

 ter to me, which I enclose for your perusal, it appears that our 

 Jay is an entirely new, or rather undescribed bird, which met 

 me on the banks of the Mohawk, to do me the honour of ush- 

 ering him to the world. This duty I have conscientiously dis- 

 charged, by introducing him to two naturalists: the one endear- 

 ed to me, and every lover of science, by the benevolence of his 

 heart; and the other ordained by Heaven to move in a distin- 

 guished orbit an honour to the human race the patron of 

 science, and best hope of republicans ! I say, that no bird, since 

 Noah's days, could boast of such distinguished honour. 



" Mr. Jefferson speaks of a very strange bird; please let me 

 know what it is; I shall be on the look out, and he must be a 

 sly fellow if he escape me. I shall watch his motions, and the 

 sound of his serenade, pretty closely, to be able to transmit to 



