TO THE ORNITHOIiOGISTS OF AMERICA: 



THIS Memoir of one of the Pioneer Field Naturalists 

 of the United States, a plain man of business who 

 traveled from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the 

 Mountains of the North to the Great Gulf of the South 

 in his study of Birds ; who gathered the largest private 

 collection in ornithology and natural history of any 

 citizen in this country ; the accuracy of whose scientific 

 knowledge was only exceeded by his noble character and 

 beautiful life; Friend of Baird, Brewer, Cassin, Coues, 

 I^awrence and Wood among the great ornithologists who 

 have Passed and of Allen, Dresser, Elliot, Ridgway and 

 Verrill among those who remain — is Respectfully and 

 Lovingly Dedicated. 



