P R E F A C E . 



The many valuable records of ornithological matters contained in the 

 columns of the Forest and Stream, render the paper a necessity to the 

 working ornithologist. At the same time, from its large size and the frequency 

 of its issue, it is too often the case that complete files of the paper are not pre- 

 served. I have had occasion, from time to time, to look up records, some 

 of which had appeared years before; and the difficulty of finding just the 

 note required led me to compile, for my own use, an index of some of the 

 more important articles. It soon occurred to me that probably my brother 

 naturalists were in the same predicament as myself, and since complete 

 bound volumes of the Forest amd Stream are accessible to but few, it 

 seemed worth while to compile a complete index, in order that the many 

 valuable notes scattered through these files, might be more available. 



This has been done, and by giving a digest of each note or article under 

 the species referred to, the reader has much more than a simple index, 

 which would necessitate a reference to the original volume. The present 

 •rtTork then embodies all the Bird Notes to be found in the Forest and 

 Stream for the time which it covers. 



Various causes have combined to delay the publication of this Index, 

 so that it: is not, unfortunately, brought up to date, Should the present edi- 

 tion, however, meet with favor, it is designed to include in a future one the 



succeeding volumes. 

 « 

 That the present compilation will be of value to ornithologists there 



can be little doubt, but it will be not less useful to the sportsman. Its very 



full references to game birds give a large number of localities where good 



shooting is to be had and tell the seasons at which different shooting grounds 



