2 EXPLANATORY. 



since ascertained to inhabit North America, while one hundred 

 and fifty have been removed from the former list as being 

 extralimital, invalid or otherwise untenable. Of whatever 

 part the author may have taken in remodelling the list, it 

 would be obviously indelicate to speak. But he cannot refrain 

 from alluding to the signal services of reform rendered by Mr. 

 Allen, of Cambridge, whose stanch advocacy', under circum- 

 stances that might have excused flinching, did so much to 

 precipitate the changes, long while progressing and inevi- 

 table, for which the time was at length at hand. Nor would 

 this allusion be entirely just, did he not in the same connection 

 refer to the thorough revision now making by Prof. Baird him- 

 self, with the cooperation of Dr. Brewer and Mr. Eidgw^aj^, the 

 results of which are about to appear in w^hat promises to be 

 one of the greatest monuments ever erected to American 

 ornithology. The notable concordance of the several writings 

 in question, an agreement the more gratifying because a short 

 time since it might have been considered impossible, marks an 

 important period in the history of the science. The outlook 

 promises well, Avhen difterent premises lead up to the same 

 conclusions, and conflicting views are reconciled. 



The present Check List, prepared in strict accordance with 

 the Key, reflects exactly whatever of truth or error that 

 work represents. The typography and presswork render it 

 susceptible of use in labelling a collection.* It shows mainh' 

 three points of disagreement with the current Smithsonian 

 List. The number of genera is reduced though not to the extent 

 that may be desirable. It is perhaps to be regretted, that so 

 many needless and burdensome generic names, for which 

 Bonaparte, Cabanis, Kaup and Reichenbach are largely re- 



*For this purpose the List will be issued as a pamphlet by itself as well 

 as forming part of this little volume. 



