INTRODUCTION 



Canada, and pass their winters in Central or 

 South America. Some migrants may be 

 found all winter in the vicinity of the Canal ; 

 others pass farther south for their winter 

 quarters and occur in Panama only in the 

 spring and fall. There is great opportunity 

 for even comparative beginners in bird study 

 to make valuable observations on these 

 migrants, by recording the times of their 

 arrival and departure and noting whether 

 they spend the winter or not. There are a 

 number of other migrants that undoubtedly 

 sometimes pass through the Canal Zone, 

 though not recorded there, so that anyone 

 may be able, with a little careful observa- 

 tion, to add some of these species to the list 

 of birds of the region. I may add that these 

 migrants will all be found described in detail 

 and in most cases illustrated in color in the 

 standard works on the birds of North 

 America, so that as far as they are concerned, 

 the bird student need not be dependent on 

 the brief descriptions and statements in this 

 work. About 21 per cent of the Canal Zone 

 species are migrants (see list, page 439), but 

 some of the native species are more or less 

 irregular or even accidental visitors that only 

 occasionally wander into the territory cov- 

 ered by this book. 



The study of the birds of the Canal Zone 

 has passed the stage where its progress can 

 be greatly advanced by making collections. 

 As already stated, we know pretty well what 

 birds are to be found there, and what is most 

 needed now are observations on their habits, 

 migrations, nesting, songs, call notes and 



