i v INTRODUCTION. 



is at present aware, these include seventy-nine species inhabiting North America. 

 Of these the eggs of no less than twenty are still entirely unknown to him, while 

 of those of eleven others he has no present means of giving illustrations. Besides 

 these deficiencies, it will be observed also that there is not that certainty which is 

 desirable in regard to the illustrations of other eggs the parentage of which is 

 rather probable than positive. To these deficiencies and uncertainties he invites 

 the attention of all of kindred tastes, and solicits their aid and co-operation in sup- 

 plying as many of these desiderata as may be practicable in future numbers, in 

 order that the work may be made more nearly full and complete. 



In all instances the illustrations are taken directly from the egg itself, and in none 

 has any attempt been made to make use of drawings. It has been demonstrated by 

 repeated trials, that no drawing of an egg, however skilful may be the draughts- 

 man, can be obtained, in ordinary cases, which- gives with sufficient accuracy of light 

 and perspective the shape and markings of the object represented. It has been 

 deemed advisable, therefore, to abandon entirely the original design of including 

 among the illustrations copies of eggs of which access could not be had to the 

 originals. This will materially reduce the writer's present means of illustration, 

 but will render much more complete, uniform, and exact all that he may be en- 

 abled to give, while time and future opportunities can hardly fail to supply many 

 of his present deficiencies. 



In the following pages acknowledgments are made to the different co-laborers 

 who have kindly contributed to aid him in his work, and to each in connection 

 with the species they have assisted to illustrate. He has endeavored to give full 

 justice to all whose co-operation has extended to those now given, and he trusts 

 that none will find occasion to complain either of omission or of want of due appre- 

 ciation of their several favors. There are those, however, whose services have been 

 so valuable, whose assistance so constant, so unremitted, or so long continued, and 

 from whose aid and sympathizing interest he has derived so much of encourage- 

 ment and support, as to call for special mention here and elsewhere. 



To John James Audubou, the gifted artist, the ardent and enthusiastic devotee 

 alike of art and nature, the warm-hearted and kindly impulsive man, he must give 

 credit for having been the first to warm into a permanent and enduring aim the 

 earlier germs of interest in this subject. It is to his prompt and opportune sym- 

 pathy, his generous contributions of materials and of many valuable specimens 

 which would be irreplaceable if lost, that he is indebted for the foundation of his 

 present knowledge, and many of the materials for his task. If, therefore, in the 

 course of the present work, it may be found necessary to give, with that fidelity to 

 exact truth which is the duty of every faithful servant of nature, certain statements 

 and facts inconsistent or in conflict with those of his deceased friend, let it not be 

 supposed that they are presented with any ungrateful lack of appreciation either 

 of his distinguished services to science, or of his many acts of personal kind- 

 ness. It is hardly possible even for the most exact and cautious to avoid falling 

 into mistakes, and, well aware that he himself may not be found exempt from error, 

 the writer has endeavored, where mention of them could not be avoided, to speak 



