xii INTRODUCTION. 



on the 1st of April, we had the pleasure, after a voyage of 

 twenty-five days, of landing in safety at Liverpool, and finding 

 our friends and relations well. When I arrived in London, my 

 worthy friend J. G. Children, Esq. presented rae with a Di- 

 ploma from the Royal Society. Such an honour conferred on 

 an American Woodsman could not but be highly gratifying to 

 him. I took my seat in the hall, and had the pleasure of press- 

 ing the hand of the learned President with a warm feeling of 

 esteem. I believe I am indebted for this mark of favour more 

 particularly to Lord Stanley and Mr Children. 



And now, kind reader, having traced my steps to the period 

 when I presented you with my first volume of Illustrations and 

 that of my Ornithological Biographies, allow me to continue my 

 narrative. 



Previous to my departure from England, on a second visit 

 to the United States, I had the honour and gratification of be- 

 ing presented to his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, 

 who graciously favoured me with a general letter of recommen- 

 dation to the authorities in the British colonies. With others 

 of a similar nature I was also honoured by the Noble T^ords 

 Stanley, Palmerston, Howick, and Goderich. 



We sailed on the 1st of August 1831, and landed at New 

 York, where 1 spent a few days only, and proceeded to Phila- 

 delphia. There I found my old and firm friends Harlan, 

 Wetherell, Pickering, Sully, Norris, Walsh, and 

 others, a few subscribers, and some diplomas. I had now two 

 assistants, one from London, Mr Ward, the other a highly 

 talented Swiss, Mr George Lehman. At Washington I re- 

 ceived from the heads of our Government letters of assistance 

 and protection along the frontiers, which it was my intention to 



