INTRODUCTORY PREFACE 



THROUGH the kindness of its sponsor, my good 

 friend, Col. Henry W. Shoemaker, I have had 

 the privilege of reading the proof sheets of Mr. 

 French's Passenger Pigeon Monograph. 



Of later time a great deal his been written upon 

 this fascinating subject. Of necessity most of it has 

 either related to the period of the annihilation of this 

 remarkable bird, or to a compilation of early litera- 

 ture of its life history, much of which was derived 

 from most unreliable sources. 



It is safe to say that no other single publication of 

 modern times contains as much intimate and first- 

 hand personal observation as this regarding the habits 

 of the Passenger Pigeon throughout the year, in aJ 

 well defined and typical position of its breeding 

 range. \^ery few statements of fact are to be ques- 

 tioned and many of the author's generalizations are 

 truly inspiring and increase our appreciation of this 

 great tragedy in Avian history. Here, too, we find 

 recorded, probably for the first time in literature, an 

 authentic narration of the part this bird played in the 

 mythology and folk-lore of the Algonquin Indians. 



It is- to be hoped, when the inevitable demand for 

 a second edition of this brochure shall make its 

 reprinting necessary, that Mr. French will rearrange 

 his chapters to conform to their historic and chrono- 



