iv Preface. 



The information given as to the food and 

 habits of our birds may probably interest and 

 benefit the agriculturist. The great majority of 

 our feathered visitors are insectivorous, and con- 

 sequently good friends of the farmer, who should 

 extend his protecting care to these little insect- 

 destroyers. 



Many of our Canadian birds are extremely 

 interesting ; and, in beauty of plumage and 

 sweetness and variety of song, equal, if they 

 do not surpass, the birds of any other country. 



The arrangement and classification, and the 

 names that are given in this work, are those 

 which have been sanctioned by modern orni- 

 thologists. 



Toronto, December, 1871. 



