Page:Ornithological biography, or an account of the habits of the birds of the United States of America, vol 2.djvu/458



It is difficult, for me at least, to understand how we should now have in the United States so many birds which, not more than twenty years ago, were nowhere to be found in those countries. Of these new-comers the Olive-sided Flycatcher is one, and one, too, whose size and song ren- der it very conspicuous among its kindred. That birds should thus sud- denly make their appearance, and at once diffuse themselves over almost the whole of the country, is indeed a very curious fact ; and were similar changes to take place in the other tribes of animals, and in other coun- tries, the arrangements of systematic writers would have to undergo cor- responding revolutions, a circumstance which would tend to add to the confusion arising from the continual shiftings, combinations, disseverings, abrasions of names, and alterations of method, which the interpreters of nature are pleased to dignify with the name of science.

The discovery of this species is due to my amiable and learned friend NuTTALL, part of whose account of its habits I have pleasure in laying before you. When, a few years ago, I rambled, as I do now, in quest of knowledge, scarcely an individual could be found in the United States con- versant with birds. At the present day there are several, with whom I am personally acquainted, who have fully proved their zeal and activity, by their discoveries and descriptions. It is enough for me to mention here the well known names of Bonaparte, Nuttall, Coopek, Bachman,

Pickering, Oaks, and Townsend, whose labours demonstrate the rapid advance of science in our country, and whose works will endure for ages. On the 8th of August 1832, while walking out from Boston towards the country seat of the Honourable Thomas H. Perkins, along with my friend Nottall, we were suddenly saluted with the note of this bird. As I had never seen it, I leaped over the fence beside us, and cautiously ap- proached the tree on which a male was perched and singing. Desiring my friend to go in search of a gun, I watched the motions of the devoted bird. He returned with a large musket, a cow's horn filled with powder, and a handful of shot nearly as large as peas ; but just as I commenced