remember me to Lehman——
What I have said about the Hawk to You must be Lawful to Academicians and you will please announce Falco Harlanii by
John J. Audubon
F. L. S. L.
The following extracts are from a letter[374] written by Swainson, January 30, 1830, and sent to Havell in London to be readdressed:
William Swainson to Audubon
I know not in what part of the Wilds of America you may now be wandering, but I hope you are fully intent upon your great object, and that you are not only making drawings, and taking notes, but preserving Skins, of all your little favorites. Don't forget the Shrikes, of which I have strong suspicions there are 2 or 3 species mixed up with the name of Loggerhead. Should you be in the land of the Scarlet Ibis, do pray procure a dozen or two of the best skins, they are the most magnificent birds of No. America, and are said to be common towards New Orleans.
You will learn frm the Newspapers how uncommonly severe is our winter the snow has now been upon the ground five weeks and it is still falling. I manage, however, to walk out every day, and thus have acquired better health than I have enjoyed for many years.
Previous to your embarking to England, which I hope you will do very early in the spring you must do me one favor. Bring me two Grey Squirrels alive, and a cage full of little birds, either the painted or non-Pareil finch the Blue finch, or the Virginian Nightingale, as they are called, 3 or 4 of each to guard against casualties by death on the voyage. I do not care one farthing whether they sing or not, so that I presume they may be got for a mere trifle. The Squirrels would delight the little people beyond measure, and would prove a never-failing source of amusement to them. I believe you have other kinds than the grey, so that any will do. If you cannot get them pray supply their place by two Parrots of America.
We continue pretty well at the Green. Seldom go to town, but I find people begin to discover the true character of V [igors]. and many that were formerly his friends now speak very differently of him. His father having died the property has come to him. He has now taken a fine house in the Regents park, and holds conversaziones (in humble imitation of those of the President of the Royal Society) every Sunday evening during the season!! all this is very grand, and he appears to have abandoned writing any more papers on ornithology, since I have begun to point out his errors.
Ward wrote to me since my last, he is a poor weak fellow, with a good natural disposition, but so little to be depended upon, that he is turned round by every feather, after inserting that he could not go on "in my service" as he called it, under ten dollars a week, he now says he should be most happy to receive four. He says not a word of his marriage, which proves his wish to decive one. I have done with him.... I hope you have got me lots of River shells.