EXPLANATORY NOTE. 



only of the bird is given, as the ah-eady existing manuals contain 

 very full descriptions, and the marked coloring and form are 

 italicized. The haunts named are the most characteristic of the 

 species; but birds are often found in strangely unexpected 

 places. 



In this volume there are described in full one hundred and 

 seventy-three of the birds most often met with in New England 

 and the Appendix contains nearly all other birds known to occur 

 within these states. If the volume contained a full description 

 of all the New England birds, it would make such a cumbersome 

 book that it could not be readily taken into the field. 



The one hundred and twenty-four cuts have been drawn with 

 the greatest care and accuracy, and represent every genus of 

 the species treated in the body of the book. 



These cuts, it is hoped, will form a substantial means for the 

 identification of New England Birds. 



The nomenclature adopted is that of the American Ornitho- 

 logists' Union. 



