LIFE OF WILSON. li 



been applied ^y Pennant to our large sitfa or nuthatch, which is certainly a 

 different species from the European, the latter being destitute of the black 

 head, neck and shoulders of ours. Latham calls it carolinensis, but it is as 

 much an inhabitant of Pennsylvania and New York as Carolina. The small 

 red-bellied sitfa is called canadensis by Latham, a name equally objectionable 

 with the other. Turdus ni?nor seems also improper; in short I consider this 

 part of the business as peculiarly perplexing; and I beg to have your opinion 

 on the matter, particularly with respect to the birds I have mentioned, 

 whether I shall hazard a new nomenclature, or, by copying, sanction what I do 

 not approve of. 



" I hope you are in good health, enjoying in your little paradise the advances 

 of spring, shedding leaves, buds and blossoms, around her; and bringing in 

 her train choirs of the sweetest songsters that earth can boast of; while every 

 zephyr that plays around you breathes fragrance. Ah ! how different my 

 situation in this delightful season, immured among musty books, and com- 

 pelled to forego the harmony of the woods for the everlasting din of the city ; 

 the very face of the blessed heavens involved in soot, and interrupted by 

 walls and chimney tops. But if I don't launch out into the fields and woods 

 oftener than I have done these twelve months, may I be transformed into a 

 street musician." (The remainder of the MS. defaced.) 



All things being happily arranged, Wilson applied himself to his varied and 

 extensive duties with a diligence which scarcely admitted repose ; until finding 

 his health much impaired thereby, he was induced to seek the benefits of 

 relaxation, in a pedestrian journey through a part of Pennsylvania; which 

 afforded him a favorable opportunity of procuring specimens of birds; and 

 some additional information relating to them, of which he was very desirous 

 to be possessed. This excursion was made in the month of August, 1807 ; 

 and on his return he engaged in his avocations with renewed ardor; devoting 

 every moment which could be spared from his editorial duties to his great 

 work. 



At length, in the month of September, 1808, the first volume of the 

 "American Ornithologi/" made its appearance. From the date of the arrange- 

 ment with the publisher, a prospectus had been issued, wherein the nature and 

 intended execution of the work were .specified; but yet no one appeared to 

 entertain an adequate idea of the elegant treat which was about to be afforded 

 to the lovers of the arts, and of useful literature. And when the volume was 

 presented to the public, their delight was only equalled by their astonishment, 

 that our country, as yet in its infancy, should produce an original work in 

 science, that could vie, in its essentials, with the proudest productions of a 

 similar nature of the European world. 



To Mr- Wm. Bartram. 



" Philadelphia, September 21st, 1808. 

 " In a few minutes I set out for the Eastern States, through Boston to 

 Maine, and back through the state of Vermont, in search of birds and sub- 

 scribers. I regret that I have not been able to spend an evening with you 



