ALEXANDER WILSON. 
xlix 
I find in yours is, that the white on the back is not so pure, and 
that the one I saw had a little of a crest. Your figure, compared 
with the White-bellied Gobe-mouche , Buff. viii. 342, PI. enl. 566, 
shews a near relation. BufFon’s is dark on the back. 
“ As you are curious in birds, there is one well worthy your 
attention, to be found, or rather heard, in every part of America, 
and yet scarcely ever to be seen. It is in all the forests from 
spring to fall, and never but on the tops of the tallest trees, from 
which it perpetually serenades us with some of the sweetest notes, 
and as clear as those of the Nightingale. I have followed it for 
miles, without ever, but once, getting a good view of it. It is of 
the size and make of the Mocking Bird, lightly thrush-coloured 
on the back, and a grayish white on the breast and belly. Mr 
Randolph, my son-in-law, was in possession of one which had been 
shot by a neighbour ; he pronounces this also a Muscicapa, and I 
think it much resembling the Moucherolle de la Martinique , Buff. viii. 
374, PI. enl. 568. As it abounds in all the neighbourhood of 
Philadelphia, you may, perhaps, by patience and perseverance, (of 
which much will be requisite,) get a sight, if not possession, of it. 
I have for twenty years interested the young sportsmen of my 
neighbourhood to shoot me one; but, as yet, without success. 
Accept my salutations and assurances of respect. 
“ Th. Jefferson.” 
After the encomiums bestowed upon him in this letter, and the 
apparent wish to forward his views, we are totally at a loss to 
conjecture the probable reason why no attention was paid to 
the application : neither Mr Bartram nor Wilson ever ascertained 
the cause. The latter again resumed his occupations, and was 
soon so fortunate as to obtain a situation of such importance 
and emolument as made him independent of his school, and 
proved the means of enabling him to commence his great work. 
Mr Samuel F. Bradford, bookseller in Philadelphia, being about to 
publish an improved edition of Rees’s New Cyclopedia, Wilson was 
introduced to him as one qualified to superintend the work, and 
was engaged at a liberal salary as assistant editor. The agreement 
is dated 20th April, 1806, and, two days after, he writes to Mr 
Bartram, detailing his plans, and expressing diffidence in his 
