New York State Education Department 



New York State Museum 



John M. Clarke, Director 



Memoir 12 

 BIRDS OF NEW YORK 



BY 



ELON HOWARD EATON 



PART I 



PREFACE 



During the past half century there has been a remarkable advance in 

 all departments of ornithology. Detailed study of the structure, classifi- 

 cation, migration and distribution of birds has virtually revolutionized 

 the science. The popular awakening of interest in nature study and the 

 increased appreciation of the out-of-doors among all classes of society, 

 has largely centered in bird study as one of the most delightful and fasci- 

 nating recreations. The vast army of American sportsmen is becoming 

 aroused to the necessity of protecting our game and wild birds more effi- 

 ciently, lest they all go the way of the Heath hen and Wild pigeon. The 

 Audubon societies are making an heroic defense of our song birds and 

 vanishing sea fowl. National and state governments and individual bio- 

 logical researches have proved the inestimable value of birds to agriculture. 

 Many American states have established special commissions for the study 

 of economic ornithology and have published extensive reports on native 

 birds and their value to the commonwealth. 



