' ALEXANDER WILSON. c i 



In June, Wilson reached New Orleans, and, sailing from thence 

 to New York, again entered Philadelphia, after a very long and 

 arduous journey ; during which he experienced many difficulties 

 from the season and climate, the wildness of the paths, and from a 

 sickness which had nearly proved fatal, but which his still good 

 constitution, and the simple prescription of an Indian, bore him 

 safely through. He nevertheless procured much information, and 

 new materials for his work, besides keeping up an extensive corres- 

 pondence with his friends, and regularly entering in a diary the 

 events of each day. From this, and the corresponding account 

 of Mr Audubon, we learn that these ornithologists first met at 

 Louisville ; and have to regret that their intimacy and acquaintance 

 had not a longer existence. Before this meeting, neither seemed 

 to have had any idea of the other's existence, though both were 

 eagerly pursuing the same object. Wilson thus notices it in his 

 diary : — 



"March 19. — Kambling round the town with my gun. Exa- 

 mined Mr 's drawings in crayons — very good. Saw two new 



birds he had — both Motacillce. 



" March 20. — Set out this afternoon with the gun — killed nothing 

 new. People in taverns here devour their meals. Many shop- 

 keepers board in taverns — also boatmen, land-speculators, mer- 

 chants, &c. No naturalist to keep me company. 



" March 21. — Went out this afternoon shooting with Mr A . 



Saw a number of sandhill crows ; pigeons numerous." 



Till 1812, Wilson resided chiefly at Philadelphia, with Mr 

 Bartram, writing and superintending his work, and making exten- 

 sive excursions around the neighbouring country. The colouring 

 of the plates cost him much trouble ; and he even wrought at this 

 department himself, anxious to render them as brilliant and true 

 to nature as possible. This is a branch of the art yet understood 

 in this country by a very few only, and is one of the greatest bars 

 to the faithful representation of the more splendid forms of the 

 feathered race. 



His American biographer now, for the first time, introduces him- 



