PREFACE. Xlll 



3. Duration of nest-building and also of oviposi- 

 tiori, and whether the eggs are laid on successive, 

 or alternate days. 



4. Periods of incubation and duties thereof, 

 whether accomplished by the female exclusively, 

 or with the assistance of the male. 



5. Age of the young on quitting the nest, and 

 the further time which elapses before they are 

 fitted for seif-maintenance. 



6. Character of the sexes both before and after 

 incubation, particularly the male. 



7. Insects, seeds, and berries which constitute 

 their bill of fare. 



In the systematic portion of the work, the author 

 has rigidly adhered to the arrangement given by 

 Dr. Elliott Coues in his "Key to- North American 

 Birds." Where, in his delineation of the habits of 

 species which stop but a short time from their 

 more northern migration, he has been necessita- 

 ted to borrow from others, credit has been duly 

 awarded. Before concluding this brief and im- 

 perfect introduction, he desires to acknowledge his 

 obligations to Prof. E. D. Cope for kindly perusing 

 most of the manuscript and eliminating extraneous 

 and useless matter. 



It is the desire of the author that this volume 

 may receive a cordial welcome, and be instrumental 



