INTRODUCTION. 



Ten years have now elapsed since the first number of my 

 Illustrations of the Birds of America made its appearance. At 

 that period I calculated that the engravers would take sixteen 

 years in accomplishing their task ; and this I announced in my 

 prospectus, and talked of to my friends. Of the latter not a 

 single individual seemed to have the least hope of my success, 

 and several strongly advised me to abandon my plans, dispose of 

 my drawings, and return to my country. I hstened with atten- 

 tion to all that was lu-ged on the subject, and often felt deeply 

 depressed, for I was well aware of many of the difficulties to be 

 surmounted, and perceived that no small sum of money would 

 be required to defray the necessary expenses. Yet never did 

 I seriously think of abandoning the cherished object of my 

 hopes. WhenJ^d^ivered the^ fost draw to the engraver, I ^/V^/" /^u( 

 had jtio^ single subscriber. Those who knew me best called 

 me rash ; some wrote to me that they did not expect to see a 

 second fasciculus ; and others seemed to anticipate the total 

 failure of my enterprise. But my heart was nerved, and my 

 reliance on that Power, on whom all must depend, brought 

 bright anticipations of success. 



