INTRODUCTORY. IX 



as orders ; to consider theai as of ouly ordiual grade, would probably be 

 to correlate them most uearly witb the recognized orders in other classes 

 of Vertebrates. Upon such basis the Carinatce are susceptible of division 

 into a large number — some fifteen or more — of groups of approximately 

 equivalent value, to be rated as suborders or superfamilies. 



I merely touch upon this subject in the present connection to prevent 

 any misunderstanding of my views which might result from the pres- 

 ence ou my pages of groups conventionally denominated "Orders" and 

 "Suborders." A work of this character being no occasion for the dis- 

 cussion of taxouomic questions, or the remodeling of a system of 

 classili cation, I preferred to retain without change a scheme, the main 

 features of which have met with general approval. The classification 

 adopted in the present volume is that presented in my late work,* while 

 the nomenclature is identical, excepting in a few isolated instances where 

 change was absolutely required, with that of the same work and of my 

 forthcoming List.t This uniformity seemed me more desirable for pres- 

 ent purposes than the good that might result from changes that, never- 

 theless, may hereafter become necessary. 



In the general text of the volume it has been my aim to be brief, or 

 even silent, in the cases of the best known Eastern birds, in order to 

 devote more space to the history of species upon which less has already 

 been written. Most of the biographical matter rests upon my personal 

 observations; but where these are deficient or wanting, the experiences 

 of others are freely collated if desired. In few instances is the complete 

 history of a species i)resented j to do this systematically and satisfac- 

 torily for all the birds given in the work, would require more time than 

 I have had to bestow, and several volumes instead of one. In preparing 

 simply a "Hand-book," I have been controlled by circumstances which 

 have not been favorable to unity of plan, and I present it rather as a 

 contribution of material for future elaboration, than as in itself a com- 

 pleted and final result. 



At risk of unduly protracting this commuuicfition, I wish to indicate 

 some of the leading ornithological features of the region under consid- 

 eration, and to present briefly certain general conclusions. 



The Missouri water-shed represents the greater portion of the North 

 American Middle Faunal Province as defined by Professor Baird. 

 Belonging distinctively here, it nevertheless extends to the border of 

 the Western Province, along the main divide of the mountains, and the 

 other direction largely overlaps the boundary of the Eastern Province, 

 as practically indicated rather by the irregular limits of continuous 



* Key to North American Birds : Containing a concise account of every species of 

 living and fossil bird at present known from the continent north of the Mexican and 

 IJiiitod States boundary. Illustrated with 6 steel plates and upward of 250 wood-cuts. 

 Imp. Hvo. pp. 3G1. Salem : Naturalists' Agency. 1872. 



t P^ield Ornithology : Comprising a Manual of Instruction for Procuring, Preparing, 

 and Preserving Birds, and a Check-list of North American Birds. 8vo. pp. i-iv, 1-116 

 and 1-137. Salem : Naturalists' Agency. [In press.] 



