102 AUDUBON, THE NATURALIST 



British Museum through my friend Children I sent others to 

 New Castle upon Tyne some to this place and some to our 

 friends Selby & Sir Wm Jardine. respecting the Woodpeckers 

 which you look upon as knew I will merely say that if for in- 

 stance it differs from all others known by having the top of the 

 head entirely red that it may be a young bird, I say this be- 

 cause I do not know if you are acquainted with the fact that 

 almost all the Woodpecker tribe have this in their youth more 

 or less extended but after the first moult they assume the red 

 in the form they are to wear it during life. I sent you a young 

 of the Downy in that state and if I recollect well also one of 

 the Golden Winged had you sent me your specimen, I think 

 I could assisted you in determining if or no it is a new bird. 

 should you become satisfied on that head, and I am honoured 

 with its being named after me, I will feel gratified and thank- 

 ful to you. Mrs. Audubon is with me & we are bound to the 

 Scotch Lakes & will return in about 2 months. I am desirous 

 to hear from you if you can have the time to spare & the in- 

 clination to Bear a hand in the text of my work. by my 

 furnishing you with the ideas & observations which I have and 

 you to add the science which I have not! If it would suit you 

 and Mrs Swainson to take us as borders for few months when 

 being almost always together I could partake of your obser- 

 vations & you of mine. I would like to receive here your ideas 

 on this subject & if possible what amount you would expect 

 from us as remuneration. My first volume will comprise an in- 

 troduction and one hundred Utters addressed to the Reader 

 referring to the 100 plates forming the first volume of my 

 illustrations. I will enter even on local descriptions of the 

 country. Adventures and anecdotes, speak of the trees & the 

 flowers the reptiles or the fishes or insects as far as I know I 

 wish if possible to make a pleasing book as well as an instruc- 

 tion one. In the event of my living with you we will furnish 

 our own wines, porter or ale. 



I hope you know me well enough to write to me your ideas 

 without fearing any offence done us should you find it either 

 disagreeable or inconvenient, indeed this is simply to know 



