PREFACE. 



" After so many excellent works have appeared on 

 the Birds of the United States, it may almost appear 

 presumptuous, at present, to attempt any addition to the 

 list. A compendious and scientific treatise on the sub- 

 ject, at a price so reasonable as to permit it to find a 

 place in the hands of general readers, seemed, however, 

 still a desideratum ; and to supply this defect has been 

 a principal object with the author of the present pub- 

 lication. 



Besides exploring the ever fruitful field of nature in 

 this delightful and fascinating kingdom, every availa- 

 ble aid has been employed ; and, as might be expected, 

 invaluable assistance has been derived from the labors 

 of the immortal Wilson and of the justly celebrated 

 Audubon. In the scientific part of the Manual, con- 

 stant recurrence has also been had to the useful labors 

 of C. L. Bonaparte, Prince of Musignano, and also to 

 the well known treatise on European Ornithology by 

 the accurate and elaborate Temminck, as well as to 

 other authors of established reputation ; such as Bris- 

 son, BufFon, Latham, White, and Pennant. 



To a number of obliging friends who have assisted 

 him in obtaining specimens, or relations concerning the 

 habits of our birds, the author offers his grateful ac- 

 knowledgments ; particularly to Charles Pickering, 

 M. D., to whom he is indebted for much valuable in- 



