xliv 



LIFE OF WILSON 



then when we reflect that a single individual, " tvithoiit patron^ fo7'- 

 tune or recompense has accomplished in the short space of seven 

 years, as much as the combined body of European naturalists have 

 taken a century to achieve, we feel almost inclined to doubt the 

 evidence of our senses. But it is a fact, which we feel a pride in 

 asserting, that we have as faithful, complete and interesting an ac- 

 count of our birds in the estimable volumes of the American Or- 

 nithology, as the Europeans can at this moment boast of possessing 

 of their's. Let those who doubt the correctness of our opinion 

 examine for themselves, and determine according to the dictates 

 of an unbiassed judgment. 



We need no other evidence of the unparalleled industry of 

 our author, than the fact, that of tivo hundred and seventy-eight spe- 

 cies which have been figured and described in his ornithology,* 

 fifty-six of these have not been noticed by any former naturalist ; 

 and several of the latter number are so extremely rare, that the 

 specimens, from which the figures were taken, were the only ones 

 that he was ever enabled to obtain. The collection and discovery 

 of these birds were the fruits of many months of unwearied re- 

 search amongst forests, swamps and morasses, exposed to all the 

 dangers, privations and fatigues incident to such an undertaking. 

 What but a remarkable passion for the pursuit, joined with the 

 desire of fame, could have supported a solitary individual in labors 

 of body and mind, compared to which the bustling avocations of 

 common life, are mere holyday activity or recreation ! 



Independently on that part of his work which was Mr. Wil- 

 son's particular province, viz. the drawing of his subjects and their 

 histories, he was necessitated to occupy much of his time in color- 

 ing the plates : his sole resource for support being in that em- 

 ployment, as his duties as assistant editor of the Cyclopaedia had 

 ceased. This is a circumstance much to be regretted, as the work 

 would have progressed more rapidly if he could have avoided that 



* The whole number of birds figured is three hundred and twentr. 



