PREFATORY STATEMENT. 



As the author intimates in his Preface, the manuscript for the "Notes" 

 was begun several years ago and has been ready for publication for 

 some time. 



The work represented by the "Notes," was begun a number of years 

 ago, when the State Geologist, Prof. N.H. Winchell, still superintended all 

 the wo'-k of The Geological and Natural History Survey. It is therefore 

 but just to Prof. Winchell (and to myself also), to state that in calling 

 upon Dr. Hatch for his manuscript and seeing it through the press, I 

 have (for reasons that will become evident in future publications), not 

 assumed any editorial responsibilities, but have, as State Zoologist, 

 simply discharged a duty the "Survey"' owes the author, who years ago 

 was requested by Prof. Winchell to write this report and who has spent 

 much time and money upon it. 



It has been impossible to refer any portion of the proof to the author 

 or to consult him in regard to style of type, etc. For this reason special 

 care was taken in reading the proof, and as the manuscript had all 

 "passed" before the author forwarded it to me from the far west, and I 

 had the final proof carefully compared with the manuscript, the author 

 will not, I trust, be misrepresented. Naturally, however, some things 

 will appear that the author would have eliminated or modified. Circum- 

 stances and time would not permit, and I trust this will to some extent 

 mollify the critics. 



It is a matter of no small regret that the bird material, upon which 

 this report is based, is not the property of the "Survey" and is not acces- 

 sible for reference and comparison. All of it ought to be here, properly 

 preserved and labelled. But 1 have considered this subiect elsewhere 

 and need not consider it any further here. 



HENEY F. NACHTRIEB, 



State Zoologist, 

 University of Minnesota. 



