LIFE OF WILSON. 
li 
been applied by Pennant to our large sitfa or nutliatcli, wlilcb is certainly a 
different species from the European, the latter being destitute of the black 
bead, neck and shoulders of ours. Latham calls it ccrroh'nensis, but it is as 
much an inhabitant of Pennsylvania and New York as Carolina. The small 
red-bellied sitta is called canadensis by Latham, a name equally objectionable 
with the other. Turdus ?H.ni' or 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 51S. 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 througli 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 Tuonth of August, 1807 ; 
and on his return he engaged in his avocations with renewed ardor; devoting 
every moment which could be spared from bis editorial duties to his great 
work. 
At length, in the month of September, 1808, the first volume of the 
" Amri'iraji OrnifJioIoiji/" 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. 
" PiiTLADELPHiA, 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 
