EXPLANATORY NOTE. 



If the directions given are followed carefully in identifyin/if 

 birds — either those observed through the opera glass afield, or 

 collected specimens — this manual, it is hoped, will prove of value 

 to the bird lover and sportsman. 



First. — Means of identifying living birds. 



Having observed some bird that you are unable to name, 

 mark the following pecuUarities, either in your mind or better, in 

 your note book : — haunts, general plumage, size, and especially 

 the appearance of head, bill and feet ; the head is generally the most 

 noticeable. Then glancing at the cuts you will soon be able to 

 find your bird or one of its Genus, and then by following down 

 the headings you will surely recognize your new acquaintance. 

 The time of year will also help to place your bird as of course a 

 sunmaer resident would not as a rule be observed in winter. 



Second. — Means of identifying collected specimens. 



The method of identification of the living bird applies also to 

 the dead specimen, except that }'ou can determine your bird more 

 ra])idly, being able to compare with certainty the plumage and 

 the bill and feet with the cut. 



The first four headings — Order, Family, Genus, and Species 

 form the classification. The heading Distribution, covers the dis- 

 tribution of the bird only in New England. The Date of Arrival 

 and Departure are given for Massachusetts, therefore in Rhode 

 Island and Connecticut the arrival may be a few days, or weeks, 

 earlier and those of departure a few days later, and in Vermont, 

 New Hampsliire and Maine, vice versa. The general plumage 



