INTRODUCTION. 



In this present work I have given the Classification, Nomenclature 

 and Habitat (Geographical limits) found in the A. O. U. Check List 

 of North American Birds*, a publication representing the joint labors 

 of a "Committee on Classification and Nomenclature" appointed by 

 the Union at its first Congress, held in New York city, September 26- 

 29, 1883. This Committee consisting of such eminent naturalists as 

 Dr. Elliott Coues, J. A. Allen, Robert Ridgway, William Brewster, 

 and H. W. Henshaw, assisted by Dr. Leonhard Stejneger, was most 

 competent to recommend the many changes, etc., which were adopted 

 and published by the American Ornithologists' Union. 



The numbers (other than in the Appendix) preceding the scientific 

 names correspond strictly with those of the A. O. U. Check List. 



The descriptions {speciHc characters) have in some instances been 

 taken from "Birds of North America," by my late lamented friend, 

 Prof. S. F. Baird ; others have been compiled, in part, from the works of 

 Dr. Elliott Coues f and Robert Ridgway J, which are recognized as the 

 standard text books on North American Ornithology. Such descrip- 

 tions as have been taken in their entirety or in part from other writ- 

 ers, have been used, as they are far better than those which I could 

 give from the limited number of specimens in my possession. 



'The Code of Nomenclature I and | Check List | of North American Birds. | Adopted by the 

 Ameri'jan Ornitholog'ists' Union. | Beint;' the Keport of the Committee of the Union on Classitica- 



tion and Nomenclatnre. | (Motto). | | New York : | American Ornitholoj^ists' Union. | 1S8C. [8 



vc, PI), i-viii, 1-392. For sale by L. S. Foster, No. 35 Pine street. New York city. Price S3.00. 



+ Key I to 1 North American Birds, I containing a concise account of every species of living- and 

 fossil bird at present known from the continent north of the Mexican and United States boun- 

 dary, inclusive of (Greenland and lower California, | with which are incorporated | General Orni- 

 thology. I An outline of the structure and classification of birds | and | Field Ornithology | a man- 

 ual of collecting, preparing, and i)reserving bii'ds | The third edition | exhibiting the new nomen- 

 clature of the American Ornithologists' Union, and including descriptions of additional species, 

 etc. I By Elliott Coues, A. M., M. D., Ph. D., etc. | Profusely illustrated | (pp. i-x. i-xxx, l-8i).5) | 

 Boston (Mass). | Estes and Lauriat. ! 188V. 1 LPrice S7.50J. 



% A I manual | of | North American Birds, | by Robert Ridgway (Curator Department of Birds 

 U. S. National Museum and Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C). | Illustrated by 464 out- 

 line drawings of the generic characters. | Philadelphia | J. B. Lippincot Company. 1 1877. | [pp. i- 

 xi, 1-631. Price 87.50, H. K. Coale, agent, Chicago, Illinois.] 



(ix) 



