MEMOIR OF 
xlvi 
excursion through a part of Pennsylvania. Even during 
this pleasure tour, however, he never lost sight of his 
grand undertaking, but employed himself in collecting new 
specimens, and procuring additional information. This 
took place in the autumn of 1807 ; and, on his return, 
he resumed his labours with fresh ardour, devoting every 
spare hour to the prosecution of his great work. 
The following extract furnishes a specimen of the 
manner in which Wilson prosecuted his researches : — 
“ I started this morning, by peep of day, with my gun, 
for the purpose of shooting a nuthatch. After jumping 
a hundred fences, and getting over the ankles in mud, 
(for I had put on my shoes for lightness,) I found myself 
almost at the junction of the Schuylkill and Delaware, 
without success, there being hardly half an acre of wood- 
land in the whole neck , and the nuthatch generally frequents 
large-timbered woods. I returned home at eight o’clock, 
after getting completely wet, and in a profuse perspira- 
tion, which, contrary to the maxims of the doctors, has 
done me a great deal of good ; and I intend to repeat the 
dose, except that I shall leave out the ingredient of the 
wet feet, if otherwise convenient. Were I to prescribe 
such a remedy to Lawson, he would be ready to think me 
mad. Moderate, nay, even pretty severe exercise, is the 
best medicine in the world for sedentary people, and 
ought not to be neglected on any account.” 
“ At length,” says his American biographer, “ in the 
month of September, 1808, the first volume of the Ameri- 
can Ornithology made its appearance. From the date of 
the arrangement with the publisher, a prospectus had been 
issued, wherein the nature and intended execution of the 
work were specified. But yet no one appeared to enter- 
tain an adequate idea of the treat which was about to be 
afforded to the level's of the fine arts and of elegant 
literature : and when the superb volume was presented 
to the public, their delight was equalled only by their 
