— 
PREFACE. 
In presenting this volume to the public, I would say that 
my chief aim in its preparation has been to supply the great 
demand for some work that might be accessible to all, both 
in consequence of its moderate price and its plain, untech- 
nical language. 
The want of such a volume is keenly appreciated by our 
students in this interesting branch of natural history; and, 
as all the editions of the valuable and popular works of 
Wilson and Nuttall are out of print, it has long been 
almost entirely unsupplied. 
T have been able, from my own observations, to correct 
some important errors that have been published as to 
the breeding habits of different species, and have added, 
probably, a few new facts to our knowledge respecting 
those of others; but I must apologize for being obliged, in 
a great many cases, to use the observations of others for 
facts which I have had no opportunity of ascertaining 
myself. : 
I am greatly indebted to Professor Spencer F. Baird, of 
Washington, for his generous permission to use the descrip- 
tions of the birds given by him in the ninth volume ‘of 
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