GIFFORD, the younger JOHN WOODHOUSE.—Of their natural
or acquired talents it does not become me to speak; but should
you some day see the " Quadrupeds of America" published by
their united efforts, do not forget that a pupil of DAVID first
gave them lessons in drawing, and that a member of the BAKEWELL
family formed their youthful minds.
To England I am as much as ever indebted for support in my
hazardous and most expensive undertaking, and more than ever
grateful for that assistance without which my present publication
might, like an uncherished plant, have died. While I reflect
on the unexpected honours bestowed on a stranger through
the generous indulgence of her valuable scientific associations,
I cannot refrain from expressing my gratitude for the facilities
which I have enjoyed under the influence which these societies
are spreading over her hospitable lands, as well as in other countries.
I feel equally proud and thankful when I have to say
that my own dear country is affording me a support equal to
that supplied by Europe.
Permit me now to say a few words respecting the persons
engaged about my work. I have much pleasure in telling my
patrons in Europe and America, that my engraver Mr HAVELL
has improved greatly in the execution of the plates, and that the
numbers of the " Birds of America" have appeared with a regularity
seldom observed in so large a publication. For this, praise
is due not only to Mr HAVELL, but also to his assistants Mr
BLAKE, Mr STEWART, and Mr EDINGTON.
I have in this, as in my preceding volume, followed the nomenclature
of my much valued friend CHARLES LUCIAN BONAPARTE,
and this I intend to do in those which are to come,
excepting always those alterations which I may deem absolutely
unpublished, or that may in the mean time be discovered, of the
Land Birds. As I cannot, in the fourth volume, proportion
the plates in the same manner as in the other three, the number
of large drawings will be much greater in it: but the numbers
will still consist of five plates, and I trust my patrons will find the
same careful delineation as before, with more perfect engraving
and colouring. These last numbers will of course be much more
expensive to me than those in which three of the plates were
small. The fourth volume will conclude with representations of
the eggs of the different species.
You have perhaps observed, or if not, I may be allowed to
tell you, that in the first volume of my Illustrations, in which
there are 1 0 0 plates, 2 4 0 figures of birds are given ; and that in
the second, consisting of the same number of plates, there are
2 4 4 figures. The number of species not described by W I L SON,
are, in the first volume twenty-one, and in the second
twenty-four.
Having had but one object in view since I became acquainted
with my zealous ornithological friend, the Prince of Musignano,
I have spared no time, no labour, no expense, in endeavouring
to render my work as perfect as it was possible for me and
my family to make it. We have all laboured at it, and every
other occupation has been laid aside, that we might present in
the best form the Birds of America, to the generous individuals
who have placed their names on my subscription list. I shall
rejoice if I have in any degree advanced the knowledge of so
delightful a study as that which has occupied the greater part
of my life.
I have spoken to you, kind reader, more than once of my
family. Allow me to introduce them:—my eldest son VICTOR