Ixxxii 
MEMOIR OF 
as much as the combined body of European naturalists 
have taken a century to achieve. The collection and 
discovery of these birds were the fruits of many months 
of unwearied research : amongst forests, swamps, and 
morasses, exposed to all the dangers, privations, and 
iatiglies incident to such an undertaking. What but a 
remarkable passion for the pursuit, joined with an ardent 
desire of fame, could have supported a solitary individual 
in labours of body and mind, compared to which the 
bustling avocations of common life are mere holiday 
activity or recreation ! 
“ Mr Wilson was possessed of the nicest sense of 
honour. In all his dealings, he was not only scrupulously 
just, but highly generous. His veneration for truth was 
exemplary. His disposition was social and affectionate* 
His benevolence was extensive. He was remarkably 
temperate in eating and drinking ; his love of retirement 
preserving him from the contaminating influence of the 
convivial circle. But, as no one is perfect, Mr Wilson 
partook, in a small degree, of the weakness of humanity. 
He was of the genus irritabile , and was obstinate in opinion. 
It ever gave him pleasure to acknowledge error, when the 
conviction resulted from his own judgment alone ; but he 
could not endure to be told of his mistakes. Hence his 
associates had to be sparing of their criticisms, through a 
fear of forfeiting his friendship. With almost all his 
friends, he had occasionally, arising from a collision of 
opinion, some slight misunderstanding, which was soon 
passed over, leaving no disagreeable impression. But 
an act of disrespect, or wilful injury, he would seldom 
forgive.” 
Thus far the American biographer; and, though the 
sketch be one drawn by the hand of a friend, its outline 
is so consistent with the tenor of his life, that we can- 
not doubt its accuracy. In personal appearance, he is 
described as having been tall, (five feet ten or eleven 
