PREFACE. ix 



1 have also had t'rcMjuent occasion to j'efer to the writings of Dr. 

 Coues, Robert Ridgway, J. A. Aden, Dr. Merriam, Dr. Fisher, Wni. 

 Brewster ; Dr. Bell, Prof. Macoun, and Geo. R. White, of Ottawa ; 

 Dr. Macalluni, of Dunnville ; J. M. Lenioine, Quebec; Amos W. 

 Butler, Indiana; Manly Hardy, of Brewer, Maine: W. F. Peacock, 

 Maiysville, California ; Dr. P. L. Hatch, Minnesota ; A. J. Cook, 

 Michigan, to all of whom I now return my best thanks for the privi- 

 lege of using their writings, as well as to many others who hasp in 

 various ways contributed toward the completion of this work. J hope 

 it may be found useful to those beginning the study of Ornithology. 

 I wish for their sakes, as well as for the interest of the subject, that 

 it were better than it is, but it has been written at spare hours 

 amid the frequently recurring calls of business, and this may account 

 for some of its imperfections. 



The classification and nomenclature used correspond with the 

 "Check List of North American Birds," published by the American 

 Ornithologists' Union. 



THOMAS McILWRAITH. 



Cairnbrae, Hamilton, Canada, 

 February Ut, ISO 4. 



