LIFE OF WILSON.                    liii
from spring to fall, and never but on the tops of the tallest trees,
from which it perpetually serenades us with some of the sweet-
est notes, and as clear as those of the nightingale.  I have fol-
lowed 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 Moucie-
rolle de la Martinique, 8 B3uffon, 374, P1. enlum. 568. As it
abounds in all the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, you may per-
haps by patience and perseverance (of which much will be re-
quisite) get a sight, if not a 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 saluta-
tions and assurances of respect.
                                           Tn. JEFFERSON.

                  TO MR. WM. BARTRAM.

                                          dpril 18th, 1805.
  "By Mr. Jefferson's condescending and very intelligent let-
ter to me, which I enclose for your perusal, it appears that our
Jay is an entirely new, or rather undeseribed bird, which met
me on the banks of the Mohawk, to do me the honour of ush-
ering him to the world. This duty I have conscientiously dis-
charged, by introducing him to two naturalists: the one endear-
ed to me, and every lover of science, by the benevolence of his
heart; and the other ordained by Heaven to move in a distin-
guished orbit-an honour to the human race-the patron of
science, and best hope of republicans! I say, that no bird, since
Noah's days, could boast of such distinguished honour.
  "9 Mr. Jefferson speaks of a very strange bird; please let me
know what it is; I shall be on the look out, and he must be a
sly fellow if he escape me. I shall watch his motions, and the
sound of his serenade, pretty closely, to be able to transmit lo