iv INTEODUCTION. 



work of this description exactly a fit place for the free ex- 

 pression of any ideas that I may chance to have upon these 

 subjects. 



As plates wherein eggs of each species of bird could be rep- 

 resented would not only make a very exj>ensive work, but 

 would also be unnecessary, I have onlj^ figured what I consider 

 type eggs, not of groups of birds, but of types of the forms and 

 patterns of coloration of North American Eggs. These plates 

 have been carefully colored by hand, by Mrs. Maynard, from 

 the eggs. 



The dimensions of the eggs are in inches and hundredths 

 of inches, and usually the measurement of the largest and 

 smallest specimens in a large series is given. 



The appearance of this work is the actualization of one of 

 the projects that I have had in mind for many years, and in its 

 completed state T now present the volume to the public. In 

 closing, I take pleasure in thanking my many friends for their 

 repeated acts of kindness to which this and my other works 



owe their success. 



C. J. MAYNARD. 



Newtonviixk, Mass. 

 August 1, 1889. 



