PREFACE. 



Having long felt that the identification of a bird would be 

 much less difficult to beginners in the Study of Ornithology, if they 

 could have a book in which every genus was illustrated by an ac- 

 curate outline drawing of the head and foot, with a description of 

 the general plumage void entirely of technical terms, I offer this 

 volume to the bird lover. 



The systematic headings enable one to turn quickly to the 

 information desired, the species one wishes to identify being found 

 under the caption : — Woodland, Beach or Ocean, and their sub- 

 headings, according to which the bird belongs. The size of the 

 volume, also, makes it a convenient manual to carry with one 

 into the field. 



I wish to express my thanks especially to ]\Ir. Edward 

 Sturtevant and Mr. Ralph W. Gray for their kindness in letting 

 me use many of their specimens from which to draw the illus- 

 trations . 



R. H. H., Jr. 



LONGWOOD, 



Massachusetts. 



