PREFACE. Xlll 



3. Duration of nest-building arid also of oviposi- 

 tion, and whether the eg^s are laid on successive, 

 or alternate clays. 



,|. Periods of incubation and duties thereof, 

 whether accomplished by the female exclusively, 

 or with the assistance of the male. 



5. Age of the young on quitting the nest, arid 

 the further time which elapses before they are 



fitted for self-maintenance. 



6. Character of the sexes both before and after 



incubation, particularly the male. 



;\ Insects, seeds, and bernes which constitute 

 their bill of tare 



In the systematic portion of the work, the author 

 has rigidly adhered to the arrangement given by 

 Dr. Elliott Coues in hi I ,'ey to North American 

 Bird Where, in In. 1 - delineation ot the habits of 

 species wrwh stop but a short tniu> from their 

 more northern migration, he has been necessita- 

 ted to borrow from others, credit has been duly 

 awarded. Px-forr concluding this brirt and im- 

 perfect introduction, he desires to acknowledge his 

 obligations to Prof. K. 1 >. Cope for kindly perusin. 

 must of the manuscript and eliminating extraneous 

 and useless matter. 



It is the desire of the author that this volume 

 may receive a cordial welcome, and be instrumental 



\ 



