PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. 
HE first edition of this Check-List of North American Birds was 
published in 1886,' and the second (revised) in 1895.2 The 
preparation of the present (third) edition was authorized at a Stated 
Meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union held in New York City, 
November 13-16, 1905, the work being assigned to the Committee on 
Nomenclature and Classification of North American Birds. Another 
Committee was at the same time appointed to make a critical examina- 
tion of the A. O. U. Code of Nomenclature, with a view to amending 
some of its provisions, should such revision seem desirable. This 
Committee, after prolonged consideration of the subject, made its 
report, which was adopted by the Council of the Union, and a small 
edition of the revised Code was issued in July, 1908.3 The ‘New 
Code’ is thus the basis of the nomenclatural rulings of the present 
Check-List. 
The Committee on Nomenclature and Classification, besides 
holding numerous sessions covering a period of four years, appor- 
tioned much of the labor of preparing the Check-List among various 
subcommittees, the work of individual members of the Committee 
between its sessions being thus the real measure of its activities. The 
results have been made public in two supplements (Fourteenth and 
1 The Code of Nomenclature | and | Check-List of North American Birds | adopted by 
the American Ornithologists’ Union | being the Report of the Committee | of the Union 
on Classification and Nomenclature | — | Zodlogical Nomenclature is a means, not an 
end, of Zodlogical Science | — | New York | American Ornithologists’ Union | 1886.— 
8vo, pp. viii + 392. 
2 Check-List | of | North American Birds | Prepared by a Committee | of the American 
Ornithologists’ Union | Second and Revised Edition | — | Zodlogical Nomenclature is a 
means, not an end, of Zodlogical Science |— | New York | American Ornithologists’ 
Union | 1895 — 8vo, pp. xi + 372. 
3 The | Code of Nomenclature | adopted by the | American Ornithologists’ Union | — | 
Revised Edition |— | Zoédlogical Nomenclature is a means, not an end, of Zodlogical 
Science |— |New York| American Ornithologists’ Union|July, 1908—8vo, pp. i- 
Ixxxv. Edition, 200 copies + 150 printed later. 
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