INTRODUCTION. 3 



this has indeed proved a source of great perplexity to the student. 

 Some have increased the number of orders to an unnecessary extent, 

 multiplied the genera, and, out of mere varieties, produced what they 

 supposed to be entire new species. Others, sensible of the impropriety 

 of this, and wishing to simplify the science, as much as possible, have 

 reduced the orders and genera to a few, and have thus thrown birds, 

 whose food, habits and other characteristical features are widely diifer- 

 ent, into one and the same tribe, and thereby confounded our perception 

 of that beautiful gradation of affinity and resemblance, which Nature 

 herself seems to have been studious of preserving throughout the whole. 

 One principal cause of the great diversity of classifications, appears to 

 be owing to the neglect, or want of opportunity, in these writers, of 

 observing the manners of the living birds, in their unconfined state, and 

 in their native countries. As well might philosophers attempt to class 

 mankind into their respective religions denominations, by a mere exami- 

 nation of their physiognomy, as naturalists to form a correct arrange- 

 ment of animals, without a knowledge of these necessary particulars. 



It is only by personal intimacy that we can truly ascertain the char- 

 acter of either, more particularly that of the feathered race ; noting 

 their particular haunts, modes of constructing their nests, manner of 

 flight, seasons of migration, favorite food, and numberless other minu- 

 tiae, which can only be obtained by frequent excursions in the woods 

 and fields, along lakes, shores and rivers ; and require a degree of pa- 

 tience and perseverance which nothing but an enthusiastic fondness for 

 the pursuit can inspire. 



Of the numerous systems which have been adopted by different wri- 

 ters, that published by Dr. Latham, in his "Index Ornithologicus," and 

 " General Synopsis of Birds," seems the least subject to the objections 

 above-mentioned ; and as, in particularizing the order, genus, &c., to 

 which each bird belongs, this system, with some necessary exceptions, 

 has heQn. generally followed in the present work, it is judged proper to 

 introduce it here, for the information, and occasional consultation of the 

 reader. 



TABLE 



OF THE ORDERS AND GENERA OF BIRDS, 



ACCORDING TO LATHAM. 



Index Ornithologicus. Sijnopsis of Birds. 



AVIUM ORDINES. ORDERS OF BIRDS. 



DIV. I. DIV. I. 



I. Aecipitres, Rapacious. 



II. Picoe, Pies. 



III. Passeres, Passerine. 



IV. Columhce, Columbine. 



