VI. 
Remarks and Inquiries concerning the Birds of Massachusetts. 
BY THOMAS NUTTALL. 
As, in the diversified pursuits of Natural History, many 
questions arise, and doubts occur, of difficult solution without 
the aid of extensive observations, I have thought that it might 
prove useful to offer, in the Transactions of the Academy, sugges- 
tions and inquiries concerning the birds which are met with, in 
the New England States; soliciting, in this way, additional 
information, by bringing the subject before the public, and calling 
the attention of individuals to facts which are probably familiar 
to them, and which, if better known, through this medium, would 
tend much to enlarge our knowledge concerning the objects of 
nature, as well as their use and economy. I therefore propose, 
in the order of their usual classification, the following remarks. 
And first, among the rapacious tribe of the Hawks and 
Eagles, and deservedly at the head of the list, stands the 
Washington Eagle, of the celebrated Audubon.* The 
author first observed this majestic bird soaring over the 
banks of the Mississippi; and, on the borders of Green River 
* There is now a copy of this magnificent publication, on the Birds of the 
United States, in the Boston Atheneum. 
