4 GAME BIEDS OF CALIFORNIA 



ject farther. We believe that placing citations in the text rather than 

 in footnotes results in a smaller percentage of error even though it 

 somewhat interrupts the smoothness of the printed page. 



The order in which the species chapters follow one another is essen- 

 tially that used in the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of 

 Noiih American Birds (1910). 



The small-type paragraphs at the beginning of each species chapter 

 are intended primarily for reference purposes, as for example in com- 

 paring two or more species, and are consequently reduced to essentials. 

 Many of the points briefly given in these paragraphs are elaborated 

 upon in the general (large-type) account which follows. 



Each species chapter is headed by the most generally accepted 

 common name, followed by the current scientific name and its author. 

 Under "other names" are included, as a rule, only those names by 

 which the species has been called in California, either colloquially by 

 sportsmen or naturalists, or more formally in published articles. Mere 

 variations in the spelling of names have not been listed. For a few 

 common or widely distributed species, names used in other parts of 

 North America are included, as a convenience in referring to other 

 books. The word "part" indicates that the name which it follows has 

 also been used for one or more other species in California. 



Under "description" are included only details of plumage (color) 

 and size (measurements). Peculiarities in the structure of feathers, 

 bill and feet are rarely mentioned because if important in diagnosis 

 they are clearly shown in the accompanying illustrations or discussed 

 in the running account. For each plumage a specimen has always 

 been selected showing typically the particular phase to be described. 

 Many species which occur in California, such as certain shore birds, 

 are, in migration time, in a mixed transitional state between the winter 

 and summer plumages. Of course these, and such additional variants 

 as are produced by wear or fading of the feathers, are not ordinarily 

 mentioned in the description. 



Under "marks for field identification" are mentioned such char- 

 acters as will be of service in long-range observations. In most 

 instances are included characters which will separate a species under 

 discussion from others with which it is likely to be confused. In the 

 running account there will usually be found one or more paragraphs 

 discussing these field characters in greater detail. 



A number of our game birds differ slightly in color and measure- 

 ments in different parts of the country and naturalists are accustomed 

 to recognize such geographic races as subspecies. In some instances 

 it is known that such races exhibit marked differences in behavior, 

 so that we do not feel justified in citing the habits of eastern races in 

 illustration of the behavior of western birds (e.g., see Oregon Ruffed 



