nAfv f c 



PREFATORY NOTE. 



THE preparation of this book has been facilitated by the good 

 offices of many ornithologists. To Mr. Robert Ridgway and Dr. C. 

 Hart Merriam I am indebted for use of the National Museum and 

 Biological Survey collections, and to Mr. Ridgway for generous 

 help in the study of the museum skins. I am also indebted to Mr. 

 Ridgway for use of the proof of his forthcoming Part II. of Birds 

 of North and Middle America, and to Dr. Merriam for use of the 

 Biological Survey records. Dr. A. K. Fisher has given me kindly 

 advice at all points and important help by a critical reading of the 

 entire manuscript, with especial examination of distributions. From 

 my husband, Mr. Vernon Bailey, I have had untiring advice and 

 assistance, in addition to the preparation of the water bird descrip- 

 tions and keys, and a large number of biographies of both water 

 and land birds. Mr. E. W. Nelson has generously corrected and 

 extended the ranges of the birds in Mexico, and Mr. H. C. Ober- 

 holser has rendered much valuable critical aid, while Dr. T. S. 

 Palmer has contributed an important chapter on bird protection. 

 To all those who have helped in the preparation of the book I would 

 express my sincere gratitude and appreciation. 



FLORENCE MERRIAM BAILEY. 



WASHINGTON, D. C. 

 October, 1902. 



