LIFE OF WILSON. 
clxvii 
“ Mr. Will. Bartram is still as you left him, and you are fre- 
quently the subject of our conversation at table. I have made ma- 
ny extensive excursions lately, and have discovered, in all, about 
forty new species of Land Birds, never taken notice of by any 
other writer. I am now engaged on the Water Birds ; and had 
just returned yesterday from the seashore when your letter was 
presented to me. Dr. H. and Mr. P. have both publickly announ- 
ced your work, but as no translation has been yet made, it has not 
been reviewed by any of our writers. 
* * * * * 
“ Wishing you all the success which is justly due to the la- 
bours, journies, and investigations, you have made in behalf of Na- 
tural History, I remain, &c.” 
In September, 1812, Wilson undertook a journey into the east- 
ei-n states, for the purpose of visiting his subscribers, and settling 
accounts with his agents. 
To Mr. GEORGE ORD. 
Boston, October 13, 1812. 
“ Dear Sir, 
“It is not in my power at present to give yon any 
thing more than a slight sketch of my rambles since leaving Phila- 
delphia. My route up the Hudson afforded great pleasure, mingled 
with frequent regret that you were not along with me, to share the 
enjoyment. About thirty miles south of Albany we passed within 
ten miles of the celebrated Catskill mountains, a gigantic group, 
clothed with forest to the summits. In the river here I found our 
common reed {Zizania aqiiaticd) growing in great abundance in 
shoals extending along the middle of the river. I saw flocks of 
Red-wings, and some Black Ducks, but no Rail, or Reed-birds. 
