WILSON'S AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. No. I. THE periodical press has done itself infinite credit by its justice and benevolence towards Mr Waterton and his Wanderings. From that amusing quarto we set ourselves, a few months ago, to fabricate a still more amusing Leading Article, when, lo and behold, the Editor of the London had the good taste and feeling to forestall and regrate as in the market. His well-written article gave us pause, for we love to be original, and above all things, hate sailing close in the wake of any sloop, brig, or ship. The London was followed by the British Critic-he by the Quarterly-and the Edinburgh just then hove in sight, firing away like a pleasant Fury, with every inch of canvass set, and prettily adorned with flags, as at a regatta. There was no help for it; so in bounced our article into the balaam-box, playing bang against a seriously-disposed paper on the building of new churches, till it groaned again, dis lodging from its entrenched position a formidable communication about the Catholics, forcibly ejecting Clara Fisher, and settling down upon a bunch of sonnets, that must have been pressed into utter lifelessness at the very bottom of the bathos. Letting fall the lid, we put our ear to the key-hole, and all was quiet-only the faint rustle of some agitated leaf -the last sigh of some disappointed contribution sinking back into hopeless repose. Leaving Waterton's Wanderings, therefore, to circulate over the British empire, we beg leave to introduce to our readers an equally interesting person, Alexander Wilson, the celebrated American ornithologist. Wilson now gone to his long home-was a native, we believe, certainly an inhabitant, of that good Scotch west-country town, Paisley-first a weaver, and then a pedlar, and then a voluntarily expatriated emigrant to America. Then driven, as it were, by a passion for ornithology, or rather a love of the living birds, with all their plumage and songs, he plunged into the woods, and studied the instincts of all those beautiful creatures in the great solitude of nature. "Amusement," says he, in his preface to his splendid folios, "blended with instruction, the correction of numerous errors, which have been introduced into this part of the natural history of our country, (our country?) if a wish to draw the attention of my fellow-citizens, occapolitics to a contemplation of the gransionally, from the discordant jarrings of deur, harmony, and wonderful variety of nature, exhibited in the beautiful portion of the animal creation, are my principal and almost only motives in the present undertaking." He afterwards observes, that "The ornithology of the United States exhibits a rich display of the most splendid colours, from the green silky,gold-bespangled down of the minute humming bird, scarce three inches in extent, to the black coppery wings of the gloomy condor, of sixteen feet, who sometimes visits our northern region-a numerous and powerful band of subjects, that for sweetness, variety, and melody, are compassed by no country on earth,-an torrid to temperate, and from northern everchanging scene of migration from to southern regions, in quest of suitable seasons, food and climate, and such an amazing diversity in habit, economy, form, disposition, and faculties, so uniformly hereditary in each species, and so completely adequate to their peculiar wants and convenience, as to overwhelm us with astonishment at the power, wisdom, and beneficence of the Creator." In proportion as the enthusiastic and erratic ornithologist became acquainted with these particulars, his visits and residence in the country, he says, became more and more agreeable. Formerly, on such occasions, he found himself in solitude, or, with respect to the feathered tribes, as it were in a strange country, where the manners, language, and faces of all were either totally overlooked or utterly unknown; but now he found himself among wellknown and interesting neighbours and acquaintances, and in the voice of every songster recognized with satisfaction the voice of an old companion and friend. In order to attain a more perfect knowledge of birds, naturalists, Mr Wilson observes, have divided them into classes, orders, genera, species, and varieties; but, in doing this, scarcely two have agreed on the same mode of arrangement, and this has indeed proved a source of great perplexity to the student. Some have increased the number of orders to an unnecessary extent, multiplied the genera, and out of mere varieties produced what they supposed to be entire new species. Others, sensible of the impropriety of this and wishing to simplify the science, as much as possible, have reduced the orders and genera to a few, and have thus thrown birds, whose habits, and other characteristical features, are widely different, into one and the same tribe, and thereby confounded our perception of that beautiful production of affinity and resemblance, which nature herself seems to have been studious of preserving, throughout the whole. The principal cause of the great diversity of classifications appear to be owing to the neglect, or want of opportunity in these writers, of observing the manners of the living birds, in their unconfined state, and in their native countries. As well might philosophers attempt to class mankind into their respective religious denominations, by a mere examination of their physiognomy, as naturalists to form a correct arrangement of animals, without a knowledge of these necessary particulars. Mr Wilson begins with that elegant bird the Corvus Cristatus, or BLUE JAY. He is peculiar to America, and is distinguished as a kind of beau among the feathered tenants of the woods by the brilliancy of his dress, while, like most other coxcombs, he makes himself still more conspicuous by his loquacity, and the oddness of his tones and gestures. We shall not attempt to paint in words of our own this shining character-but the following accounts of him cannot but be amusing to all readers. the part performed by the Jay always catches the ear. He appears to be. among his fellow-musicians, what the trumpeter is in a band, some of his notes having no distant resemblance to the tones of that instrument. These he has the faculty of changing through a great variety of modulations according to the particular humour he happens to be in. When disposed for ridicule, there is scarce a bird whose peculiarities of song he cannot tune his notes to. When engaged in the blandishments of love, they resemble the soft chatterings of a duck, and while he nestles among the thick branches of the cedar, are scarce heard at a few paces distance; but no sooner does he discover your approach than he sets up a sudden and vehement all his might, as if he called the whole out-cry, flying off, and screaming with feathered tribes of the neighbourhood to witness some outrageous usage he had received. When he hops undisturbed among the high branches of the oak and hickory, they become soft and musical; and his calls of the female, a stranger would readily take for the repeated creakings of an ungreased wheelbarrow. All these he accompanies with various which the whole tribe of Jays are so renods, jerks, and other gesticulations; for markable, that, with some other peculiarities, they might have very well justified the great Swedish Naturalist in forming them into a separate genus by themselves. "Of all birds he is the most bitter enemy to the owl; no sooner has he discovered the retreat of one of these, than he summons the whole feathered fraternity to his assistance, who surround the glimmering solitaire, and attack him from all sides, raising such a shout as half a mile off. may be heard, in a still day, more than "When in my hunting excursions I have passed near this scene of tumult, I have imagined to myself that I heard the insulting party venting their respective charges with all the virulency of a Billingsgate mob; the owl, meanwhile, returning every compliment with a broad goggling stare. The war becomes louder and louder, and the owl, at length forced to betake himself to flight, is followed by the whole train of his persecutors until driven beyond the boundaries of their jurisdiction. "But the blue Jay himself is not guiltless of depredations with the owl, and becomes in turn the very tyrant he detested, when he sneaks through the woods as he frequently does, and among the thickets and hedge-rows, plundering every nest he can find of its eggs, tearing up the callow young by piecemeal, and spreading alarm and sorrow around him. The cries of the distressed parents soon bring together a number of interested specta tors, (for birds in such circumstances seem truly to sympathize with each other,) and he is sometimes attacked with such spirit as to be under the necessity of a speedy retreat. "He is not only bold and vociferous, but possesses a considerable talent for mimicry, and seems to enjoy great satisfaction in mocking and teasing other birds, particularly the little hawk, (F. Sparrerius,) imitating his cry whenever he sees him, and squealing out as if he was caught; this soon brings a number of his own tribe around him who all join in the frolic, darting about the hawk, and feigning the cries of a bird sorely wounded, and already under the clutches of its devourer; while others lie concealed in bushes, ready to second their associates in the attack. But this ludicrous farce often terminates tragically. The hawk singling out one of the most insolent and provoking, sweeps upon him in an unguarded moment, and offers him up a sacrifice to his hunger and resentment. In an instant the tune is changed; all their buffoonery vanishes, and loud and inces sant screams proclaim their disaster." Wherever the Blue Jay has had the advantage of education, it is remarked, that he profits by it, not only showing himself an apt scholar, but his suavityof manners is equalled only by his art and contrivance. His itch for thieving, however, keeps pace with his other acquirements. Dr Meare, on the authority of Colonel Portell of South Carolina, informed Mr Wilson that a Blue Jay, which was brought up in the family of the latter gentleman, had all the tricks and loquacity of a parrot, pilfering everything he could conveniently carry off, and hid them in holes and crevices; answered to his name with great sociality when called on; could articulate a number of words pretty distinctly; and when he heard any uncommon noise or loud talking, seemed impatient to contribute his share to the general festivity, by a display of all the oratorical powers he was possessed of. He is also one of the most useful agents in the economy of nature for disseminating forest-trees, and other ruciferous and hard-seeded vegetables, on which they feed. Their chief employment, during the autumnal season, is foraging to supply their wintry stores. In performing this necessary duty, they VOL. XIX. drop abundance of the seed in their flight over fields, hedges, and by fences, where they alight to deposit them in the post-holes. It is remarkable, what numbers of young trees rise up in fields and pastures after a wet winter and spring. These birds alone are capable, in a few years, to replant all the cleared lands. They' seldom associate in very great numbers, Dr Latham's account of flocks of 20,000 being altogether fabulous. Such a flock, says Mr Wilson, would be as extraordinary an appearance in America as the same number of magpies or cuckoos would be in Britain. THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE is a pretty and interesting bird of passage, arriving in Pennsylvania from the south about the beginning of May, and departing towards the latter end of August, or beginning of September. From the singularity of its colours, the construction of its nest, and its preferring the apple-trees, weeping-willows, walnut and tulip-trees, adjoining the farm-house, to build on, it is generally known, and is usually honoured with a variety of names, such as Hang-nest, Hanging-bird, Golden-robin, Fire-bird, (from the bright orange seen through the green leaves resembling a flash of fire,) but more generally the Baltimore Bird, so named, according to Catesby, from its colours, which are black and orange, being those of the arms or livery of Lord Baltimore, formerly proprietary of Maryland. Great difference is found in the style, neatness, and finishing of the nests of the Baltimores. Some appear far superior workmen to others; and probably age, Mr Wilson thinks, may improve them in this, as it does in their colours. He procured a great number of their nests all completed, and with eggs. One of these, the neatest, was in the form of a cylinder, of five inches in diamater, and seven inches in depth, round at the bottom. The opening at the top was narrowed, by a horizontal covering, to two inches and a half in diameter. The materials were flax, hemp, tow, hair, and wool, woven into a complete cloth; the whole tightly sewed through and through with long horse hairs, several of which measured two feet in length. The bottom was composed of thick tufts of cowhair, sewed also with strong horsehair. This nest was hung on the ex4 P tremity of the horizontal branch of an apple-tree, fronting the south-east ; was visible one hundred yards off, though shaded by the sun; and was the work of a very beautiful and perfect bird. So solicitous is the Baltimore to procure proper materials for his nest, that in the season of building, the women in the country are under the necessity of narrowly watching their thread that may be out bleaching, and the farmer, to secure his young grafts, as the Baltimore finding the former, and the strings which tie the latter, so well adapted for his purpose, frequently carries off both. Skeins of silk and hanks of thread have been often found, after the leaves are fallen, hanging round the Baltimore's nest; but so woven and entangled as to be entirely irreclaimable. Before the introduction of Europeans, no such material could have been obtained; but, with the sagacity of a good architect, he has improved the circumstance to his advantage, and the strongest and best materials are uniformly found in those parts by which the whole is supported. "The song of the Baltimore is a clear mellow whistle, repeated at short intervals as he gleans among the branches. There is in it a certain wild plaintiveness andnaïvet extremely interesting. It is not uttered with the rapidity of the ferruginous thrush (Turdus Rufus), and some other eminent songsters, but with the pleasing tranquillity of a careless plough-boy whistling merely for his own amusement. When alarmed by an approach to his nest, or any such circumstance, he makes a kind of rapid chirrup ing, very different from his usual note. This, however, is always succeeded by those mellow tones which seem so congenial to his nature. On wings of Love th' assiduous nurses fly, Flowers, leaves, and boughs abundant food supply; Glad chants their guardian as abroad he goes, And waving breezes rock them to repose. "The Baltimore inhabits North Ame rica, from Canada to Mexico, and is even found as far south as Brazil. Since the streets of our cities have been planted with that beautiful and stately tree, the constant visitors during the early part of Lombardy poplar, these birds are our summer; and amid the noise and tumult of coaches, drays, wheelbarrows, and the din of the multitude, they are heard chanting 'their native wood notes wild;" sometimes, too, within a few yards of an oysterman, who stands bellowing with the lungs of a Stentor, under the shade of the same tree; so much will habit reconcile even birds to the roar of the city, and to sounds and noises, that, in other circumstances, would put a whole grove of them to flight." THE WOOD THRUSH of America, called also the Wood Robin, and by others the Ground Robin, is in all things a delightful bird; and he is certainly described by Mr Wilson in the spirit of delight. "This sweet and solitary songster inhabits the whole of North America, from Hudson's Bay to the peninsula of Florida. He arrives in Pennsylvania about the 20th of April, or soon after; and returns to the south about the beginning of October. The lateness or earliness of the season seems to make less difference in the times of arrival of our birds of passage than is generally imagined. Early in April, the woods are often in considerable forwardness, and scarce a summer bird to be seen. On the other hand, vegetation is sometimes no farther advanced on the 20th of April, at which time wood thrushes are seen flitting through (e. g. this present year 1807,) numbers of the moist woody hollows; and a variety of the Motacilla genus chattering from almost every bush, with scarce an expanded leaf to conceal them. But at whatever time the wood thrush may arrive, he soon announces his presence in the woods. With the dawn of the suc ceeding morning, mounting to the top of some tall tree that rises from a low thick shaded part of the woods, he pipes his few, but clear and musical notes in a kind of ecstacy; the prelude, or symphony to which strongly resembles the double-tongueing of a German flute, and sometimes the tinkling of a small bell; the whole song consists of five or six parts, the last note of each of which is in such a tone as to leave the conclusion evidently suspended; the finale is finely managed, and with such charming effect, as to soothe and tranquillize the mind, and to seem sweeter and mellower at each successive repetition. Rural songsters, of the same species, challenge each other from different parts of the wood, seeming to vie for softer tones and more exquisite responses. During the burning heat of the day, they are comparatively mute; but in the evening the same melody is renewed, and continued long after sunset. Those who visit our woods, or ride out into the country at these hours, during the months of May or June, will be at no loss to recognize, from the above description, this pleasing musician. Even in dark, wet, and gloomy weather, when scarce a single chirp is heard from any other bird, the clear notes of the wood thrush thrill through the dropping woods, from morning to night; and it may be truly said, that the sadder the day the sweeter is his song. Those who have paid minute attention to the singing of birds know well, that the voice, energy, and expression, in the same tribe, differ as widely as the voices of different individuals of the human species, or as one singer does from another. The powers of song in some individuals of the wood thrush have of ten surprised and delighted me. Of these, I remember one, many years ago, whose notes I could instantly recognize on entering the woods, and with whom I had been, as it were, acquainted from his first arrival. The top of a large white oak that overhung part of the glen, was usually the favourite pinnacle from whence he poured the sweetest melody; to which I had frequently listened till night began to gather in the woods, and the fire-flies to sparkle among the branches. But, alas in the favourite language of the poet One morn I miss'd him on the accustomed Along the vale, and in his favourite tree- THE RED-BREASTED THRUSH, or ROBIN, is, like other orders of the American thrushes, a bird of passage. But he is especially unsettled, and continually roving about from one region to another during fall and winter. Scarce a winter passes but innumerable thousands of them are seen in the lower parts of the whole music. "The Robin is one of our earliest songsters; even in March, while snow yet dapples the fields, and flocks of them are dispersed about, some few will mount a post, or stake of the fence, and make short and frequent attempts at their song. Early in April, they are only to be seen in pairs, and deliver their notes with great earnestness, from the top of some tree detached from the woods. "This song has some resemblance to, and indeed is no bad imitation of, the notes of the Thrush or Thrasher (Turdus Rufus), but if deficient in point of execution, he possesses more simplicity; and makes up in zeal what he wants in talents, so that the notes of the Robin, in Spring, are universally known, and universally beloved. They are, as it were, the prelude to the grand general concert, that is about to burst upon us from woods, fields, and thickets whitened with blossoms, and breathing fragrance. By the usual association of ideas, we therefore listen with more pleasure to this cheerful bird, than to many others, possessed of far superior powers, and much greater variety. Even his nest is held more sacred among school-boys than that of some others; and while they will ex |