INTRODUCTION. 7 



Index Ornichologicus. Synopsis of Birds. 



93. Sterna, Tern. 



94. Larus, Gull. 



95. Procellana, Petrel. 



96. MerguSj Merganser. 



97. Anas, Duck. 



98. Aptenodytes, Penguin. 



99. Pelicanus, Pelican. 



100. Phaeton, Tropic-bird. 



101. Plotus, Darter. 



It may probably be expected, that, in a publication of this kind, we 

 should commence with the order Accipitres, and proceed, regularly, 

 through the different orders and genera, according to the particular sys- ■ 

 tem adopted. This, however desirable, is in the present case altogether 

 impracticable ; unless, indeed, we possessed living specimens, or draw- 

 ings, of every particular species to be described ; an acquisition which 

 no private individual, nor public museum in the world, can, as yet, boast 

 of. This work is not intended to be a mere compilation from books, 

 with figures taken from stuffed and dried birds, which would be but a 

 sorry compliment to the science ; but a transcript from living Nature, 

 embracing the whole Ornithology of the United States ; and as it is 

 highly probable that numerous species, at present entirely unknown, 

 would come into our possession long after that part of the work appro- 

 priated for the particular genera to which they belonged had been fin- 

 ished, and thereby interrupt, in spite of every exertion, the regularity 

 of the above arrangement, or oblige us to omit them altogether : con- 

 sidering these circumstances, and that during the number of years which 

 the completion of the present work will necessarily occupy, the best 

 opportunities will be afforded, and every endeavor used, to procure 

 drawings of the whole, a different mode has been adopted, as being more 

 agreeably diversified, equally illustrative of the science, and perfectly 

 practicable ; which the other is not. The birds will, therefore, appear 

 without regard to generical arrangement ; but the order, genus, &c., of 

 each will be particularly noted ; and a complete Index added to the 

 whole, in which every species will be arranged in systematic order, with 

 reference to the volume, page, and plate, where each figure and descrip- 

 tion may be instantly found. 



From the great expense of engravings executed by artists of estab- 

 lished reputation, many of those who have published works of this kind, 

 have had recourse to their own ingenuity in etching their plates ; but, 

 however honorable tliis miglit have been to their industry, it has been 

 injurious to the effect intended to be produced by the figures ; since the 

 point, alone, is not sufiicient to produce a finished engraving ; and many 



