PREFACE. 
American Ornithology has uniformly presented a highly interesting 
subject of investigation to naturalists and liberally educated persons, 
even when the means of gratifying general curiosity were few and 
difficult of attainment. Wilson’s invaluable work removed the 
obstacles preventing access to this attractive study, conferred on him 
an imperishable renown, improved the taste and elevated the scien¬ 
tific character of his fellow-citizens, and secured the approbation of 
the judicious and enlightened in all countries. 
Placed where he could derive little or no aid from scientific books 
or men, Wilson’s ardent and perspicacious mind triumphed over 
circumstances, and enabled him to exhibit the truths he discovered 
in that warm, lucid, and captivating language, which never fails to 
reach the heart of his reader, because it flowed direct from his own; 
whilst his clearness of arrangement, accuracy of description, and 
faithfulness of delineation, show, most advantageously, the soundness 
of his judgment and the excellence of his observation. We may 
add, without hesitation, that such a work as he has published in a 
new country, is still a desideratum in any part of Europe. 
It was the inspiration derived from that pure and perennial source, 
the contemplation of nature, which gave Wilson the power of illus¬ 
trating every object of his research, and imparting to the most 
abstruse discussions the charm of vigorous originality. Unfortunately 
for the interests of science, his eagerness to augment his stock of 
knowledge by more incessant application, impaired his constitution 
to such a degree, that he sunk under the hand of death, before his 
great w ork was completed, and before he could reap that rich harvest 
