• PREFACE. XV 



structure, and the general differences of appearance in the 

 birds of various families or groups: The illustrations of this 

 volume are woodcuts in outline, the only satisfactory form, not 

 greatly increasing its cost, of which the author has bethought 

 himself. He has drawn most of the figures from nature — he 

 hopes with accuracy, though, since the scales vary, and (when 

 fractional) are only approximate, they do not satisfactorily 

 represent the relative size of the birds figured. ^^ The outlines 

 of the Chickadee, Night "Hawk," and Golden-winged Wood- 

 pecker, have been copied from Wilson's pictures ; those of the 

 Winter Wren were suggested by a picture in Dr. Coues' " Key 

 to North American Birds." The details of structure have all 

 been drawn from nature by the author, though several hints 

 have, been taken from the latter volume. The outlines of birds 

 very well known, or nearlj' related to others figured, have been 

 omitted. It may be here remarked that in the figure of the 

 Traill's Flycatcher the tail is broader and more rounded than 

 is observable in the living bird when at rest. -In some other 

 figures, the notch of the bill is indistinct. 



This volume contains several facts, never before published, 

 so far as the author knows, except a few, which have appeared 

 in magazines or pamphlets. It also possesses new features, 

 which will, it is hoped, facilitate the acquisition of a thorough 

 knowledge of our birds, though it contains no more scientific 

 details than necessary. The classification, with slight changes 

 in sequence, is that used by Professor Baird and Dr. Coues. 

 The introduction (which is divided into sections, marked by 

 letters) relates chiefly to the formation of a collection of eggs, 

 containing, however, a section on structural details, and an- 

 other on classification. Each of the succeeding chapters treats 

 of an ornithological order, though the last treats of the game- 

 birds. Each chapter is divided into sections, which are con- 

 tinuously numbered throughout (in Arabic figures), and which 

 mark the various families (subfamilies being otherwise indi- 



12 These have not been drawn so as to exhibit the longest primary, spurious 

 feathers, scutelke, or the like, unless in the plate. 



