IV 



PREFACE. 



North American Birds may serve as a handy book for the spprtsn^ar. 

 and traveller, as well as for the resident naturalist, and that all niajn 

 find it a convenient and satisfactory means of identifying any North 

 American bird in all its variations of plumage. 



ROBEET EIDGWAY. 



Depaktment of Birds, 

 United States National Museum, 

 April 11, 1887. 



