14 ai.e;xander wilson : poet — naturalist 



1803 — Studies drawing, etc. Plans his "Ornithol- 



1804 — First ornithological journey, to Niagara 

 Falls. Publishes "The Invitation," "The 

 Rural Walk," and "The Solitary Tutor" 

 in The Literary Magazine, Philadelphia. 



1805 — Writes short poems and studies birds. 



1806 — Applies to Jefferson for appointment on 

 Pike's Expedition. Resigns position at 

 Gray's Ferry School. Becomes assistant 

 editor on Ree's Cyclopedia, published by 

 S. F. Bradford, Philadelphia. 



1807 — Begins traveling through Pennsylvania. 



1808 — First volume of the "American Ornithol- 

 ogy" published by Bradford and Inskeep 

 (first two plates engraved by Wilson's 

 own hands). 

 Begins traveling North to solicit subscrip- 

 tions. 

 Meets Thomas Payne at Greenwich. 



i8o8-'o9 — Travels through the South near the sea 

 coast. 



i8o9-'io — ^Journey through the interior by way of 

 Pittsburgh to Florida. 



1810 — Second volume, "American Ornithology." 



181 1 — Third and fourth volumes, "American Orni- 

 thology." 



1812 — Fifth and sixth volumes, "American Orni- 

 thology." Last ornithological trip, as far 

 North as Maine. Elected member Ameri- 

 can Philosophical Society of Philadelphia 

 and of the Society of Artists of the United 

 States. 



