Since Messrs. Tylor, Addison, and Col. Trumbull identified the Muccawiss with the Whip-poor-will, I have had access to the original MSS. of The Excursion; and have found that the point which is discussed—in the above note and in Note C in the Appendix—is set conclusively at rest, by one of the earlier (discarded) readings of the text in Wordsworth's own handwriting.
"and verily was cheered
By the blithe Mocking Bird, and heard alone
The melancholy cry of whip-pow-will."
Another version of the last line is also given,
"The plaintive cry repeated whip-poor-will."
I entertain no doubt that Wordsworth first of all met with the name of this bird, whip-pow-will, in Waterton's Wanderings (a copy of which he possessed), and that he afterwards exchanged it—before sending his Excursion to press, in 1814—for the more musical Indian name, Muccawiss.
It is also worthy of note that Southey had transferred to his Commonplace Book (see vol. ii. p. 567), Carver's account of the Whipper-will, or as it is termed by the Indians, Muckawiss. "As soon as night comes on these birds will place themselves on the fences, stumps, or stones that lie near some house, and repeat their melancholy note without any variation till midnight." (Travels, by Jonathan Carver, p. 467.)—ED.