LIFE OF WILSON. 
Iv 
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 co- 
lour on the back — the forehead 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 ac- 
quaintance, and something better might follow. Alexander and 
you, will, I hope, be on the look-out Avith the gun, and kill every 
bird that comes in your way; and keep written descriptions, 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, Avhile the birds are abundant; and nothing would give 
me so much pleasure as to make another extensive tour with 
)mu for this purpose; for I am persuaded that there are many 
species yet undescribed; and Mr. Jefferson is anxious to replen- 
ish his museum with the rare productions of his country.” 
TO MR. WM. DUNCAN. 
Gray’s Ferry, May 31, 1805. 
‘‘ Yesterday evening I was finishing a Hanging-bird in my 
silent mansion, musing upon a certain affair, when Mr. L. pop- 
* After many inquiries, and an unwearied research, it turned out that this 
invisible musician was no otlier tlian the Wood Robin, a bird which, if sought 
for in those places Avliich it affects, may be seen every hour of the day. Its 
favom’ite haunts Wilson has beautifully described in its history; but so far from 
being found always “on the tops of the tallest ti’ees,” 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 tlie conclusion 
of each of wliich it commonly flies a few feet, and rests just long enough to 
continue the strain. A person unacquainted with tliese particulars, would sup- 
pose that he heard several birds, in various quarters, responding to each other, 
and would find it hard to believe that the whole was the performance of one. 
