INTRODUCTION 



This is the fifth in a series of bulletins of the United States 

 National Museum on the life histories of North American birds. 

 Previous numbers have been issued as follows : 



107. Life Histories of North American Diving Birds, 1919^. 

 113. Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns, 1921. 

 121. Life Histories of North American Petrels, Pelicans, and 



their Allies, 1922. 

 126. Life Histories of North American Wildfowl, 1923. 



The same general plan has been followed and the same sources 

 of information have been utilized. Nearly all those who con- 

 tributed material for former volumes have rendered similar service 

 in this case. In addition to those whose contributions have been 

 previously acknowledged our thanks are due to the following new 

 contributors : 



Photographs have been contributed by Charles Barrett, W. J. 

 Erichsen, Audrey Gordon, W. E. Hastings, A. B. Klugh, G. M. 

 McNeil, C. W. Michael, J. A. Munro, J. R. Pemberton, J. K. Potter, 

 M. P. Skinner, and F. W. Walker. 



Notes and data have been contributed by H. P. Attwater, A. C. 

 Bagg, D. B. Burrows, K. Christofferson, H. B. Conover, M, S. 

 Crosby, S. T. Danforth, A. D. Henderson, R. W. Jackson, J. W. 

 Jacobs, W. DeW. Miller, Catharine A. Mitchell, J. A. Munro, J. E. 

 Pemberton, F. J. Pierce, R. D. Camp, A. J. van Rossem, William 

 Rowan, M. P. Skinner, T. C. Stephens, W. A. Strong, and C. L. 

 Whittle. 



Completed manuscript for this bulletin Avent to the publishers in 

 March, 1923. Material received since then will be acknowledged 

 later. Much new matter published since then can not now be in- 

 cluded. 



The sixth volume, containing the life histories of the herons and 

 rails, is now well along toward completion, but it is not too late 

 to add anything of importance, if it is sent in promptly. The 

 seventh volume will contain the shore birds. If contributors wish 

 to have their names kept on the mailing list, they are urged to 

 send any photographs or notes they have to offer for use in these 



two volumes, at once, to — 



The Author. 



