INTRODUCTION. 



IN the commencement of a work of such magnitude, and so 

 novel in this country, some account will necessarily be expect- 

 ed of the motives of the author, and of the nature and intended 

 execution of the work. As to the former of these, it is respect- 

 fully submitted, that, amusement blended with instruction, the 

 correction of numerous errors which have been introduced into 

 this part of the natural history of our country, and a wish to 

 draw the attention of my fellow-citizens, occasionally, from 

 the discordant jarrings of politics, to a contemplation of the 

 grandeur, harmony, and wonderful variety of Nature, exhibit- 

 ed in this beautiful portion of the animal creation, are my prin- 

 cipal, and almost only, motives, in the present undertaking. I 

 will not deny that there may also be other incitements. Bias- 

 sed, almost from infancy, by a fondness for birds, and little less 

 than an enthusiast in my researches after them, I feel happy to 

 communicate my observations to others, probably from the 

 mere principle of self-gratification, that source of so many even 

 of our most virtuous actions; but I candidly declare, that lu- 

 crative views have nothing to do in the business. In all my 

 wild-wood rambles these never were sufficient either to allure 

 me to a single excursion, to discourage me from one, or to en- 

 gage my pen or pencil in the present publication. My hopes 

 on this head are humble enough; I ask only support equal to 

 my merits, and to the laudability of my intentions. I expect 

 no more; I am not altogether certain even of this. But leaving 

 the issue of these matters to futurity, I shall, in the mean time, 

 comfort myself with the good old adage: " Happy are they 

 who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed." 



As to the nature of the work, it is intended to comprehend 

 a description and representation of every species of our native 



VOL. i. cc 



