I welcomed the news of your arrival in America yesterday, and as I am making up a packet for Liverpool today, I seize the opportunity of wishing you joy and happiness in the new world. I am surprised and disappointed as not receiving one line from Ward it is at the best negligent, and somewhat ungrateful. Hope you have begun your studies among the birds on a better plan than formerly, that is, in preserving the skins of every one on which there is the least doubt whether the bird is young or old, particularly the former. If you are to give scientific descriptions and definitions of the species this precaution is absolutely necessary. What your Americans do with their money I know not, Mr. Lea tells me he cannot procure one purchaser for my new Illustrations: here it is now going on very well.
You asked me what you can do for me in America. I will tell you. Send me a cart load of shells from the Ohio, or from any of the Rivers near New Orleans. The very smallest, as well as the very largest—all sizes. I have been long expecting those which your son promised you for me near twelve months ago! but I have heard nothing of them! you may spend a few dollars for me and send people to fish the shells at the dry season, when the waters are low, that is the best time.
Things go on here much as usual, but I have not been in London since Xmas. The first volume, containing the Quadrupeds, of Dr. Richardson's work, is out. I am now busy in preparing the second, which contains the Birds. Let me particularly direct your attention to the manners of the Cedar Bird, Ampelis Americana. I suspect it feeds much on Insects in default of fruit, but what is desirable, is to know the way in which it captures Insects, whether as a flycatcher i.e. by seizing them on the wing, or like the Gold crest—by picking them up among the branches or leaves. I am now in close correspondance with Charles Bonaparte, & a most valuble correspondant he is.
Mrs. Swainson is just recovering from her confinement after giving me another little son I am happy today they are both going on well.
Wilson I believe mentions two birds very like the Red eyed Flycatcher, this is a point deserving your attention, but the manners of these birds are much more important. I feel convinced there are several species of my Genus Ammodramus shore finch, in the So. States, they all have narrow pointed tails, like the seasidefinch of Wilson. I further suspect there is more than one species confounded with the Towee Buntling.
I hope soon again to hear more fully from you, and of your ornithological acquisitions. The dear little ones are quite well.
Yours very sincerely,
Wm. Swainson
The Green 26 June 1829.
Mr. John J. Audubon
care of
Mess. Thomas E. Walker & Co.
Merchants.
New York [Philadelphia]
On the 4th of July Audubon returned to Philadelphia and prepared for a longer sojourn in the Great Pine Forest, or Great Pine Swamp, as it was sometimes called, in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. In this letter to his son we shall find an account of his plans and accomplishments: