PREFACE. XI 



between its temperature and that of the main land. It is a low sandy region, 

 with extensive plains, and rising along its northern borders into hills of moderate 

 elevation, at but one point only exceeding three hundred feet in height. Although 

 much smaller than any of the preceding districts, yet it possesses some zoological 

 features of interest. Its insular position, and its early settlement, has occasioned 

 the extirpation of the larger quadrupeds, such as the Otter, Wolf and Bear ; but 

 deer are still numerous. It is more remarkable for the abundance and variety of 

 its birds, than for the number of its mammalia. Here we find the extreme 

 southern limits of the migrations of the arctic species, and the northernmost 

 termination of the wanderings of the birds of the torrid zone. Thus we find in 

 winter in this district, the Eider Duck, the Little White Goose, the Great Cor- 

 morant, the Auk, and many others from the Arctic ocean. During the heats of 

 summer, we meet with the Turkey Buzzard and Swallow-tailed Kite, the Fork- 

 tailed Flycatcher from the tropical wilds of Guiana, and numerous others from 

 the south. It seems also to be the boundary between the fishes and other classes 

 of the northern and tropical seas, and occasionally furnishes specimens from either 

 extremity. 



In conclusion, we have to make a few observations respecting the illustrations 

 which accompany this work. These were all executed by Mr. J. W. Hill, and 

 with the exceptions which are noted in their proper places, were taken from the 

 animal itself, either alive, or from specimens carefully mounted by persons who 

 had been conversant with their habits during life. In some classes, where the 

 colors were fleeting, several individuals were successively employed, in order to 

 secure with more certainty their evanescent hues. The outlines in all cases were 

 taken with the camera lucida, which we conceive to be the best and most ex- 

 peditious mode hitherto devised. It will be observed that the figures are not on 

 a uniform scale, and that a small animal is often represented apparently larger 

 than one of greater bulk. This could not be remedied, except by drawing them 

 all on a scale which would have involved an expense of time and means utterly 

 useless, and inadequate to the purposes of the Survey. This apparent defect is 

 remedied by a notice on the plate, of the scale upon which the species is drawn ; 

 and the measurements throughout the work are uniformly given in feet, inches, 

 tenths and hundredths, which correspond with those employed by the English. 



It was originally proposed to employ the most eminent engravers upon the 

 illustrations, in order to render the work more worthy of the State under whose 

 auspices it was undertaken, and at the same time to furnish specimens of the 



