Ixxx 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
gave me much satisfaction ; and your promise of befriending me 
in the arduous attempt commands my unfeigned gratitude. From 
the opportunities I have lately had of examining into the works of 
Americans who have treated of this part of our natural history, I 
am satisfied that none of them have bestowed such minute attention 
on the subject as you yourself have done. Indeed they have done 
little more than copied your nomenclature and observations, and 
referred to your authority. To have you, therefore, to consult 
with in the coui’se of this great publication I consider a most happy 
and even auspicious circumstance ; and I hope you will on all oc- 
casions be a rigid censor and kind monitor whenever you find me 
deviating from the beauties of nature, or the truth of description. 
“ The more I read and reflect upon the subject, the more dis- 
satisfied I am with the specific names which have been used by al- 
most every writer. A name should, if possible, be expressive of 
some peculiarity in colour, conformation, or habit ; if it will equal- 
ly ripply to two difierent species, it is certainly an improper one. 
Is migratoriiis an epithet peculiarly applicable to the Robin? Is it 
not equally so to almost every species of Turdus we have ? Euro- 
pea has been applied by Pennant to our large Sitta or Nuthatch, 
which is certainly a different species from the European, the latter 
being destitute of the black head, neck and shoulders of ours. La- 
tham calls it Carolinensisy but it is as much an inhabitant of Penn- 
sylvania and Newyoik as Carolina. The small red-bellied Sitta 
is called Canadensis by Latham, a name equally objectionable with 
the other. Turdus minor 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 nomencla- 
ture, or, by copying, sanction what I do not approve of. 
“I hope you are in good health, enjoying in your little Para- 
dise the advances of spring, shedding leaves, buds and blossoms, 
around her ; and bringing in her train choirs of the sweetest song- 
