INTRODUCTION 3 



brief biographies, etc., and numerous illustrations. The price is 

 four dollars in library cloth binding and four dollars and twenty- 

 five cents in flexible leather binding. The size of the book in the 

 latter form is the same as this publication, a convenient volume 

 for carrying afield in the pocket or bag if so desired. Both Reed's 

 and Chapman's books can usually be purchased of booksellers, or 

 if not, of The National Association of Audubon Societies, 1974 

 Broadway, New York City. There are of course many other 

 publications that are of value in studying our birds, but these two 

 fill very well the needs of the student, in the beginning at least. 

 The Bibliography presented herewith will furnish to those interested 

 the titles and whereabouts of many articles dealing especially with 

 Minnesota birds. 



The life-zone map accompanying this article is provisional 

 only, based on such information as has been accumulated to date 

 in regard to the distribution of Minnesota birds in the nesting 

 season. No attempt has been made to indicate minor irregu- 

 larities in the boundary lines of the several areas, as this would be 

 impracticable in so small a map. Therefore the outlines here 

 depicted are to be taken in a general sense only. The eastern 

 boundary of what is designated the Pseudo-Campestrian is es- 

 pecially uncertain and will probably require some changes, particu- 

 larly in its southern half. For the information of those who are 

 not familiar with the subject of life zones, it may be stated that it 

 is the regular and common nesting bird population that imparts 

 distinction to an area, the transients and accidental or rare birds 

 being in no way considered. Plants and all forms of animal life 

 in addition to birds are equally considered in defining life zones 

 and areas. 



The illustrations grouped at the end of this volume are from 

 original photographs in the collection of the Zoological Survey, 

 except the picture of the Horned Lark which is from a drawing 

 made for the Survey by Kako Morita. All but two have been 

 used before to illustrate articles by the writer published in The 

 Minnesotan, and are here reproduced from the same half-tone 

 blocks, which were kindly presented to the Museum by the editors, 

 Mr. and Mrs. Maurice I. Flagg. 



The sources of information upon which this Review is based 

 are published records and a considerable accumulation of local 

 lists and notes in the files of the Zoological Division of The Geo- 

 logical and Natural History Survey of Minnesota. The author's 



