Page:Ornithological biography, or an account of the habits of the birds of the United States of America, vol 2.djvu/27

 the south, and therefore I determined to set out immediately, I have frequently thought that my success in this vast undertaking was in part owing to my prompt decision in every thing relating to it. This decision I owe partly to my father, and partly to. We arrived at Charleston in October 1833. At Columbia I formed an acquaintance with, the learned President of the College there. Circumstances rendered impracticable my projected trip to the Floridas, and along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, for which reason, after spending the winter in keen research, aided by my friend, I retraced my steps in March, in company with my wife and son, to New York. At Baltimore, where we spent a week, my friends Messrs, , , and Drs , , , and , greatly aided me in augmenting my list of subscribers, as did also my friend Colonel. My best acknowledgments are offered to these gentlemen for their polite and kind attentions.

Taking a hurried leave of my friends Messrs, , , , , , , , , , , , , , and the Reverend , President of the College, we embarked on board the packet ship the North America, commanded by that excellent man and experienced seaman Captain , with an accession of sixty-two subscribers, and the collections made during nearly three years of travel and research.

In the course of that period, I believe, I have acquired much information relative to the Ornithology of the United States. and in consequence of observations from naturalists on both