INTRODUCTION. 



This Bulletin contains a continuation of the work on the life his- 

 tories of North American birds, begun in Bulletin 107. The same 

 general plan has been followed and the same sources of information 

 have been utilized. Nearly all of those who contributed material 

 for, or helped in preparing, the former volume have rendered similar 

 service in this case. In addition to those whose contributions have 

 been previously acknowledged, my thanks are due to the following 

 contributors : 



Ph(>tographs have been contributed, or their use authorized, by 

 D. Appleton & Co., S. C. Arthur, A. M. Bailey, R. H. Beck, B. S. 

 Bowdish, L. W. Brownell, G. G. CantM'ell, F. M. Chapman, H. H. 

 Cleaves, Colorado Museum of Natural History, E. H. Forbush, A. 

 O. Gross, O. J. Heinemann, A. L. V. Manniche, W. M. Pierce, M. S. 

 Ray, J. Richardson, R. B. Rockwell, R. W. Shufeldt, J. F. Street, 

 University of Minnesota, C. H. Wells, J. Wilkinson, and F. M. Wood- 

 ruff. 



Notes and data have been contributed by S. C. Arthur, R. H. Beck, 

 F. H. Carpenter, H. H. Cleaves, E. H. Forbush, F. C. Hennessey, R. 

 Hoffmann, F. C. Lincoln, H. Massey, O. J. Murie, C. J. Pennock, 

 J. H. Rice, Katie M. Roads, and G. H. Stuart. With the consent of 

 Dr. L. C. Sanford and R. H. Beck, the American Museum of Natural 

 History has placed at the author's disposal Mr. Beck's extensive notes 

 made on the Brewster and Sanford expedition to South America. 



The distributional part of this Bulletin has been done mainly by 

 the author, with considerable volunteer help from Mr. F. Seymour 

 Hersey, whose time is now otherwise occupied. Dr. Louis B. Bishop 

 has devoted much time to revising the paragraphs on distribution 

 and on plumages. 



Our attention has been called to an error in Bulletin 107. On page 

 32 a quotation from Dr. T. S. Roberts was inserted as referring to 

 the food of the eared grebe; this really refers to the food of 

 Franklin's gull and not to that of the grebe. 



Readers of Bulletin 107 have suggested some changes. Conse- 

 quently, in this and subsequent Bulletins in this series, the exact 

 details will be given, when available, in such casual records as are 

 given; but it must be remembered that no attempt will be made to 



