cliv 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
as usual, has in numerous instances united with its parent, ig- 
norance, to depreciate and treat with contempt what neither of 
them understood; and the whole interesting assemblage of the 
feathered tribes of this vast continent, which in richness of plu- 
mage, and in strength, sweetness and variety of song, will be 
found to exceed those of any other quarter of the globe, are 
little known save in the stuffed cabinets of the curious, and 
among the abstruse pages and technical catalogues of dry syste- 
matic writers. 
“ From these barren and musty records, the author of the 
present work has a thousand times turned with a delight bor- 
dering on adoration, to the magnificent repository of the woods 
and fields — the Grand Aviary of Nature. In this divine school 
he has studied from no vulgar copy; but from the works of the 
Great Master of Creation himself; and has read with rap- 
ture the lessons of his wisdom, his goodness and his love, in the 
conformation, the habitudes, melody and migrations of this 
beautiful portion of the work of his hands. To communicate 
as correct ideas of these as his feeble powers were capable of, 
and thus, from objects, that, in our rural walks, almost every 
where present themselves, to deduce not only amusement and 
instruction, but the highest incitements to virtue and piety, 
have been the author’s most anxious and ardent wish. On many 
of his subjects, indeed, it has not been in his power to say much. 
The recent discovery of some, and the solitary and secluded 
habits of others, have opposed great obstacles to his endeavours 
in this respect. But a time is approaching when these obstacles 
will no longer exist. When the population of this immense 
western Republic will have diffused itself over every acre of 
ground fit for the comfortable habitation of man — when farms, 
villages, towns and glittering cities, thick as the stars in a win- 
ter’s evening, overspread the face of our beloved country, and 
every hill, valley and stream has its favourite name, its native 
flocks and rural inhabitants; then, not a warbler shall flit through 
our thickets, but its name, its notes and habits will be familiar 
to all; repeated in their sayings, and celebrated in their village 
