xlviii LIFE OF 



But I retain a sufficiently exact idea of its form and colours to be 

 satisfied it is the same with yours. The only difference I find in 

 yours is, that the white on the back is not so pure, and that the 

 one I saw had a little of a crest. Your figure, compared with the 

 white-bellied gobe-mouche, Buff. viii. 342, PI. enl. 566, shews a 

 near relation. Buffon's is dark on the back. 



"As you are curious in birds, there is one well worthy your 

 attention, to be found, or rather heard, in every part of America, 

 and yet scarcely ever to be seen. It is in all the forests from spring 

 to fall, and never but on the tops of the tallest trees, from which it 

 perpetually serenades us with some of the sweetest notes, and as 

 clear as those of the nightingale. I have followed it for miles, 

 without ever, but once, getting a good view of it. It is of the size 

 and make of the mocking bird, lightly thrush-coloured on the back, 

 and a greyish white on the breast and belly. Mr Kandolph, my 

 son-in-law, was in possession of one which had been shot by a 

 neighbour ; he pronounces this also a Muscicapa, and I think it 

 much resembling the Moucherolle de la Martinique, Buff. viii. 374, 

 PI. enl. 568. As it abounds in all the neighbourhood of Phila- 

 delphia, you may, perhaps, by patience and perseverance (of which 

 much will be requisite), get a sight, if not possession, of it. I 

 have for twenty years interested the young sportsmen of my neigh- 

 bourhood to shoot me one ; but, as yet, without success. — Accept 

 my salutations and assurances of respect. 



"Th. Jefferson." 



After the encomiums bestowed upon him in this letter, and the 

 apparent wish to forward his views, we are totally at a loss to 

 conjecture the probable reason why no attention was paid to the 

 application : neither Mr Bartram nor Wilson ever ascertained the 

 cause. The latter again resumed his occupations, and was soon so 

 fortunate as to obtain a situation of such importance and emolu- 

 ment as made him independent of his school, and proved the means 

 of enabling him to commence his great work. Mr Samuel F. 

 Bradford, bookseller in Philadelphia, being about to publish an 

 improved edition of Bees' New Cyclopaedia, Wilson was introduced 

 to him as one qualified to superintend the work, and was engaged 

 at a liberal salary as assistant editor. The agreement is dated 20th 



