iv PREFACE. 



miring for some time the beautiful simplicity of nature, gave her 

 willing consent; and the little fellow went off, on the wings of 

 ecstasy, to execute his delightful commission. 



The similitude of this little boy^s enthusiasm to my own, struck 

 me ; and the reader will need no explanations of mine to make the 

 application. Should my country receive with the same gracious 

 indulgence the specimens which I here humbly present her; should 

 she express a desire for me to go and bring her more^ the highest 

 wishes of my ambition will be gratified ; for, in the language of my 

 little friend, our whole woods are full of them! and I can collect 

 hundreds more, much handsomer than these. 



ALEXANDER WILSON. 



Philadelphia, September \st, 1808. 



