EXPLANATIONS. 



THE title of this work is explanatory of its object, and there- 

 fore does away with the usual preface or introductory remarks, 

 further than to say, that the authors aim has been to present 

 to the general reader, as well as to the student interested in bird 

 life, a book containing the latest knowledge in regard to the 

 habits, etc., of our birds. It embraces 343 species and sub- 

 species. Several other species and subspecies are, without 

 doubt, entitled to recognition in this work, but they have not as 

 yet been observed in the State. The photogravure illustrations 

 represent 529 mounted birds (my own work) in "The Goss Or- 

 nithological Collection." 



The characteristic descriptions of the different orders, fami- 

 lies, genera, species and races are chiefly from "North Ameri- 

 can Land and Water Birds," by Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, 

 with the necessary changes in nomenclature and classification to 

 conform with that of the American Ornithologists' Union. I 

 have also quoted freely from Mr. Ridgway's "Manual" and 

 "Birds of Illinois," and occasionally from Dr. Elliott Coues' 

 "Key to North American Birds." In all cases where credit is 

 not given, the characteristic descriptions are referable to the 

 first-named works. I follow these works because they are more 

 complete than I could possibly m.ake them from the small num- 

 ber of specimens at hand, or to which I have ready access. 



The descriptions of the nests and eggs (where credit is not 

 given) are from notes of my own observations in the field, and 



