NEW WFE IN A NEW LAND 55 



with Mr. Wilson on this part of his history, 

 wherein he described his sensations on viewing 

 the first bird that presented itself as he entered 

 the forest of Delaware. It was a red-headed 

 woodpecker, which he shot, and considered the 

 most beautiful bird he had ever beheld." Already 

 he was beginning to make the mental notes which 

 were to assist him, not only in the choice of his 

 final great lifework, but also in carrying it 

 through to completion. 



On his way over the twenty-nine miles of country 

 from Wilmington to Philadelphia, the rich plumage 

 of the birds, especially the red-birds which flashed 

 their scarlet wings across the road as they passed, 

 interested him and made lighter the journey. Again 

 disappointed in finding work at the loom, and their 

 last farthing gone, the two men "took the first offer 

 of employment" that presented itself; what its na- 

 ture was Wilson does not cay, but there is a sugges- 

 tion of feeling in his reference to the laborers who 

 had to endure work with "the spade or wheelbarrow 

 under tlie almost intolerable heat of a scorching 

 sun," that makes us wonder if there is not here a 

 hint of some experience of his own. George Ord 

 says that he was first employed by a fellow country- 

 man, John Aiken, a copperplate printer of Philadel- 

 phia. He soon gave this up to work at Pennypack 

 Creek about ten miles from Philadelphia, with Col- 

 onel Joshua Sullivan, who apparently proved himself 

 a true friend. For a little while he tried weaving in 

 Virginia, but soon returned again to Pennypack, 

 though he did not remain there very long. During 

 this period he was forced to take up the pack again, 



