LIFE OF WILSON. 
nevei’ heard but from the tops of the tallest trees, whence it contin- 
ually serenades us with some of the sweetest notes, and as clear as 
those of the nightingale. Mr. Bartram can give no account of this 
bird, except it be the Wood Robin, which I don’t think it is ; for 
Mr. Jefferson says it is scarcely ever to be seen;^ and “ I have fol- 
lowed it for miles without ever, but once, getting a good view of 
it.”* I have been on the look-out ever since, but in vain. If you 
can hear of such a bird, let me know. I wish you also to look for 
the new bird which I discovered. It is of the size of the Blue Jay; 
and is of that genus — of a dull lead colour on the back — the fore- 
head white — black on the back of the neck — the breast and belly 
a dirty, or brownish white, with a white ring round its neck — its 
legs and bill exactly the Jay’s. Pray inquire respecting it, and 
any other new bird. If they could be conveyed to me, drawings 
of them, presented to the same dignified character, might open the 
road to a better acquaintance, and something better might follow. 
Alexander and you will, I hope, be on the look-out with the gun, 
and kill every bird that comes in your way; and keep written de- 
scriptions, or the skins, if possible, of those you don’t know. Were 
I able, I would undertake another journey up to you through the 
woods, while the birds are abundant; and nothing would give me 
so much pleasure as to make another extensive tour with you for 
this purpose; for I am persuaded that there are many species yet 
undescribed ; and Mr. Jefferson is anxious to replenish his museum 
with the rare productions of his country.” 
* After many inquiries, and an unwearied research, it turned out that this invisible mu- 
sician was no other than the Wood Robin, a bird which, if sought for in those places wliich it 
affects, may be seen every hour of the day. Its favourite haunts Wilson has beautifully described 
in its history ; but so far from being found always “ on the tops of the tallest trees,” it is seldom 
seen in such places, but seems to prefer the horizontal branches, at no great height, especially 
when piping its exquisitely melodious song. One of its names, the Ground Robin, is derived 
from the circumstance of its being frequently seen upon the ground. Its song consists of 
several distinct parts, at the conclusion of each of which it commonly flies a few feet, and rests 
just long enough to continue the strain. A person unacquainted with these particulars, would 
suppose that he heard several birds, in various quarters, responding to each other, and would 
find it hard to believe that the whole tvas the performance of one. 
