INTRODUCTION 



The Natural History of Canada has received a very fair share of 

 attention from NaturaHsts both at home and abroad, but in no 

 one department of this fascinating study can the ground yet be 

 said to be well trodden. In commencing work in this field some 

 thirteen years ago, I chose as a special object of investigation our 

 Birds of Prey, as affording a field perhaps less trodden than 

 others. 



From the year 1S65 to the present, in connection with ex- 

 plorations undertaken on behalf of the Geological Survey of 

 Canada, I have had unusual facilities for field observation, and 

 have traversed the greater part of that portion of Ontario which 

 may be described as lying between the Ottawa River and its 

 sources, and the St. Lawrence and its Great Lakes — a region the 

 interior of which is but thinly settled and comparatively unknown ; 

 also, a large part of the country lying to the northward of the 

 Ottawa River, between the Lake of Two Mountains and Pem- 

 broke. In these explorations, of course, ornithological studies 

 were of secondary consideration, the chief object being the un- 

 ravelline of the oreoloarical structure of the region travelled over. 

 Nevertheless our eyes were always open, and everything was 

 carefully noted down : whether this was a cliff of the old Lauren- 

 tian crystalline limestone — the abode of our celebrated Eozoon 

 Canadcnse\ a hole in the mountain's side made by the irrepressible 

 mineral hunter ; an Eagle perched on his rocky crag ; or a 

 painted Butterfly sporting amid the wild-blossoms of the mountain 

 dell. Thus, along with others. Ornithological facts and specimens 

 rapidly accumulated — many of the first, important ; and many of 

 the last, rare, interesting and beautiful. The Geological gleanings 

 speedily found their way to the public through the annual Reports 

 of the Geological Survey, but my treasured Ornithological notes 

 and specimens were left with me to dispose of as I pleased. 

 These have been carefully studied, arranged, and supplemented 



