American Ornithology, or, the Natural History of the birds of the United States, 1808-1814

The natural history of the birds of the United States: illustrated with plates, engraved and colored from original drawings taken from nature.

Alexander Wilson has been called ''the Father of American Ornithology.'' Wilson was a confidant of William Bartram, a correspondent of Thomas Jefferson, a sensitive personality who set out as he said to make ''a collection of all our finest birds.'' In pursuit of this goal he traveled through much of the eastern part of the U.S., often on foot. Though later overshadowed by John James Audubon, Wilson is considered one of the pioneers in American ornithology.

Full version of this text available at American Ornithology.

The Filson Historical Society Rare Book Collection

Philadelphia: Bradford and Inskeep

Ord, George

bbf0008

RB OSB 598.2 W746 1808-14