"THE BIRDS OF AMERICA" 387 



covered and employed by the Author, and lately exhibited to 

 a meeting of the Wernerian Society. Besides, in every instance 

 where a difference of plumage exists between the two sexes, 

 both the Male and Female Birds have been represented. The 

 Author has not contented himself with single profile views of 

 the originals, but in very many instances he has grouped them, 

 as it were, at their natural avocations, in all sorts of attitudes, 

 either on branches of trees, or amidst plants and flowers : some 

 are seen pursuing with avidity their prey through the air, or 

 searching diligently their food amongst the fragrant foliage ; 

 whilst others of an aquatic nature swim, wade, or glide over 

 their allotted element. The Insects, Reptiles, or Fishes, that 

 form the food of the birds, have been introduced into the draw- 

 ings ; and the nests of the birds have been frequently repre- 

 sented. The Plants are all copied from Nature, and the 

 Botanist, it is hoped, will look upon them with delight. The 

 Eggs of most of the species will appear in the course of the 

 publication. 



The Particulars of the Plan of the Work will be found de- 

 tailed below: 



1. The Engravings in every instance to be of the exact di- 



mensions of the Drawings, which, without any exception, 

 represent the Birds of their natural size. 



2. The Plates will be Coloured, in the most careful manner, 



from the original Drawings. 



3. The Size of the work will be Double Elephant, and printed 



on the finest Drawing Paper. 



4. Five Plates will constitute a Number; one Plate from one 



of the largest Drawings, one from one of the second 

 size, and three from the smaller Drawings. 



5. There are 400 Drawings ; and it is proposed that they shall 



comprise Three Volumes, each containing about 133 

 Plates, to which an Index will be given at the end of 

 each, to be bound up with the Volume. 



6. Five Numbers will come out annually. 



7. The Price of each Number will be Two Guineas; payable 



on delivery. 



