^"iSoS^J ^-'oi-'KS, Letter from W. Sivainsou to ,/. ./. Aiidnho)!. \ ^ 



am fearful, loose the credit of discovering nearly all the new 

 species you possess, and this I again repeat, for your own sake 

 I should be sorry for. To me, individually, your not doing so, 

 would rather be advantageous. 



"The more a book is quoted, the more is its merits admitted, 

 and its authority established, it was on this account I so 

 repeatedly requested the use only, of a copy of your book, that it 

 might have been cited in " Northern Zoology " not having it — I 

 could not therefore mention it 



" I shall always be as thankful to you as formerly for any 

 information on the habits, economy, and manners of birds; but, 

 as to species, I want not, nor do I ever ask, the opinions of any 

 one. that is quite a different matter, and entertaining peculiar 

 ideas on that subject, you must not feel surprised at my differing 

 from you in almost every instance. My reasons will always be 

 laid before the public. In the present case, we totally differ 

 about species of Woodpeckers. I shall not, however propitiate a 

 favourable opinion from you, or any one, by a compliment and 

 therefore I will wait for some species which you yourself will 

 admit, which I shall then give your name to, I am rather glad you 

 did not accept my offer, for I am noiv assisting in bringing out an 

 Octavo edition of Wilson, by Sir W Jardine which will be 

 arranged according to my nomenclature. 



Yours my dr Sir 



Very faithy 



W SWAINSOX" 



Though the proposed literary partnership thus fell through, the 

 two men continued on the most friendly personal terms. Audubon 

 repeatedly speaks handsomely of his friend Swainson in his 

 Journals ; they were often together, both in England and in 

 France ; each dedicated a new species to the other ; and one of 

 the most complimentary reviews Audubon's work ever received 

 was from Swainson's pen. 



