CIV 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
of the woods wliicli tliey frequented — that without patron, fortune or recom- 
pense, lie brought tlie greater part of these from the obscurity of ages, gave to 
each ' a local habitation and a name' — collected from personal observation 
•whatever of their characters and manners seemed deserving of attention ; and 
delineated their forms and features, in their native colors, as faitlifully as he 
could, as records, at least, of their existence. 
" In treating of those birds more generally known, I have endeavored to do 
impartial justice to their respective characters. Ignorance and stubborn- 
rooted opinions, even in this country, have rendered some odious that are 
eminently useful; and involved the manners of others in fable and mystery, 
■which in themselves are plain and open as day. To remove prejudices when 
they oppose themselves to the influence of humanity is a diflicult, but, when 
effected, a most pleasing employment. If tlierefore, in divesting this part of 
the natural history of our country of many of its fables and must forbidding 
features, and thus enabling our youth to become more intimately acquainted 
■with this charming portion of the feathered creation, I should have succeeded 
in multiplying their virtuous enjoyments, and in rendering them more humane 
to those little choristers, how gratifying to my heart would be the reflection ! 
For to me it appears that, of all inferior creatures, Heaven seems to have 
intended birds as the most cheerful associates of man ; to soothe and exhilarate 
him in his labors by their varied melody, of which no other creature, but man, 
is capable ; to prevent the increase of those supernumerary hosts of insects that 
would soon consume the products of his industry ; to glean up the refuse of 
his fields, 'that notliing be lost,' and, what is of much more interest, to be to 
him the most endearing examples of the tenderest connubial love and parental 
aflfection." 
To 3Ir. F. a. MiciiAux. 
"Philadelphia, June 6th, 1812. 
" My Dear Friend. 
"I had the pleasure of receiving a letter from you, dated April 10, 1812; 
but, living at Mr. Bartram's, I have not yet seen Mr. Correa, the gentleman who 
brought it over. I have also had the great satisfaction of examining the plates 
of your four numbers of Forest Trees, which are beautifully executed; and I 
regret most sincerely that my little knowledge of the French language* pre- 
vents me from perusing with equal satisfaction the interesting particulars you 
relate of their history. I expected long before this to be able to congratulate 
you on the publication of a translation of your work here, and I announced 
the same In the preface to one of my volumes ; but sorry I am to inform you 
that no steps have yet been taken to put that design in execution, and I fear 
none will be taken for many months to come. Unless there be an evident 
certainty of profit, booksellers, in general, are very indifferent to publish 
* Wilson's ignorance of French was a great disarlvantage to liim ; and he never ceased 
to regret his want of instruction in a tongue, which is considered not only important to 
the scholar, but indispensable to the naturalist. The number of works, in the various 
departments of Natural History, which France annually produces, is truly astonishing ; 
and fortunate is that student whose acquirements in her language enable him to profit of 
the knowledge of this illustrious nation. 
