LNAERODUCTION. 
N presenting this work to the public, the author deems it but reason- 
able that his patrons should be placed in full possession of the facts 
and circumstances which have induced him to undertake so presuming 
and (to him) so hazardous an enterprise. 
When the publication of the ‘‘ Revised List of the Birds of Central 
New York” was an accomplished fact, many, into whose hands it was 
placed, suggested to him the propriety of describing and illustrating 
some, if not all of the birds contained therein. He felt that to truth- 
fully and thoroughly execute the first proposition, was beyond his power 
except in a few minor instances, and much less assuring of a promising 
result than the latter suggestion. When, however, the horizon of a 
doubtful success had been considered, and the material in his possession 
consisting of the writings and assured observations of the ornithological 
students of the last decade had been carefully scanned, he felt a growing 
confidence that whenever his pen was blocked by a vacuitous doubt, 
he could find relief therefor in referring to such publications as the 
Nuttall Ornithological Bulletin, the Bulletins of the U. 5S. Geological 
