INTRODUCTION. 



In the commencement of a work of such magnitude, and so novel in 

 this country, some account will necessarily be expected of the motives 

 of the author, and of the nature and intended execution of the work. 

 As to the former of these, it is respectfully submitted, that, amusement 

 blended with instruction, the correction of numerous errors which have 

 been introduced into this part of the natural history of our country, 

 and a wish to draw the attention of my fellow-citizens, occasionally, 

 from the discordant jarrings of politics, to a contemplation of the gran- 

 deur, harmony, and wonderful variety of Nature, exhibited in this 

 beautiful portion of the animal creation, are my principal, and almost 

 only, motives, in the present undertaking. I will not deny that there 

 may also be other incitements. Biassed, almost from infancy, by a 

 fondness for birds, and little less than an enthusiast in my researches 

 after them, I feel happy to communicate my observations to others, 

 probably from the mere principle of self-gratification, that source of so 

 many even of our most virtuous actions ; but I candidly declare, that 

 lucrative views have nothing to do in the business. In all my wild-wood 

 rambles these never were sufficient either to allure me to a single excursion, 

 to discourage me from one, or to engage my pen or pencil in the present 

 publication. My hopes on this head are humble enough ; I ask only 

 support equal to my merits, and to the laudability of my intentions. I 

 expect no more ; I am not altogether certain even of this. But leaving 

 the issue of these matters to futurity, I shall, in the meantime, comfort 

 myself with the good old adage : " Happy are they who expect nothing, 

 for they shall not be disappointed." 



As to the nature of the work, it is intended to comprehend a descrip- 

 tion and representation of every species of our native birds, from the 

 shores of the St. Lawrence to the mouths of the Mississippi, and from the 

 Atlantic Ocean to the interior of Louisiana : these will be engraved in a 

 style superior to any thing of the kind hitherto published ; and colored 

 from nature with the most scrupulous adherence to the true tints of the 

 original. 



The bare account of scientific names, color of bills, claws, feathers, 

 &c., would form but a dry detail ; neither, in a publication of the present 

 kind, where every species is faithfully figured and colored, is a long 



Vol. I —1 



