INTRODUCTORY. 
OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE, \ 
Topeka, Kansas, July 5, 1883. 
Col. N. S. Goss, Topeka, Kansas: 
DeEAR Sir: The Executive Council, at its regular session on the 27th 
day of June last, adopted a preamble and resolution of which the fol- 
lowing is a copy, viz.: 
WHEREAS, The Executive Council believes that a catalogue of the birds of this State 
would be of great value to our educational institutions, and of interest to the people; 
therefore, 
Resolved, That Col. N. S. Goss be requested to prepare for publication, a catalogue of 
the birds of Kansas, brought up to the present time. 
Very respectfully, 
JAMES SMITH, 
Secretary of State. 
TopEKA, Kansas, August 20, 1883. 
Hon. James Smith, Secretary of State: 
DeEAR Sir: In compliance with request by resolution of the Execu- 
tive Council, dated June 27th, 1883, as per notice received from you on 
the 5th ult., I have the honor to transmit herewith, for publication, a 
catalogue of the birds of Kansas, based upon observations in the field, 
and knowledge gathered during a residence of over twenty-six years in 
the State. 
I have duly accredited in the list, all birds reported taken that are new 
to the State, also the authority for those inserted that have not come 
under my observation. 
Geographically, Kansas lies in the very center of the continent, 
stretching across the line east and west a distance of four hundred and 
ten miles, with a gradual elevation from the low bottom and timbered 
lands (altitude 750 feet), to the high, treeless plains (altitude 3,500 
feet), thus giving a diversity of soil and change in climate that makes 
its avian fauna rich and varied. 
The list now embraces 49 families, and 320 species and races. Of 
