Chapter XV 



FIELD KEY 



THE following list has been prepared 

 as a special help and guide (ready at 

 hand and as condensed as possible) 

 for the use of readers of the foregoing pages. 



It includes all those birds in the territory 

 covered by this volume which the average 

 amateur may look for with a well-grounded 

 expectation of seeing within a reasonable 

 period of time; but no others. And the 

 distinctive purpose running through it is to 

 characterize each species, not in a scientific 

 way, but by its easiest, surest, and most 

 obvious and apprehensible mark or marks 

 (whether of color, flight, song, or some pecu- 

 liar habit) for open-air identification by 

 those who are not experts and never 

 expect to be. 



Within these limitations it is believed 

 it is both accurate and informing, and will 

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