6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



On account of the rapidly changing natural conditions in this country 

 due to settlement and cultivation, and because of the wanton and 

 thoughtless destruction of forests and wild life which has characterized 

 the last century, there is most urgent need of public sentiment asserting 

 itself in the protection and encouragement of our wild birds, if this State 

 is to preserve the remnant of its heritage of game birds whose abundance 

 astounded the early explorers, and if we are to keep the song birds which 

 lend such a charm to country life and insure the farmer against the outbreak 

 of insect pests which constitute the most serious menace to the agri- 

 cultural wealth of the State. 



During the 64 years which have elapsed since DeKay's account of New 

 York ornithology was published, 100 species of birds have been added to 

 our State list and material advancement has been made in our knowledge 

 of the habits and distribution of the commoner species. The present 

 report has been prepared with the double purpose of bringing together as 

 comjjletely as possible our knowledge of New York birds at the present 

 time ; by affording the intelligent public an account of every species known 

 to occur within the State, accompanied with the illustrations so success- 

 fully executed by Mr Fuertes, it is hoped that the rising generation will 

 become sufficiently acquainted with the beauty, interest and value of our 

 birds to appreciate and protect them more efficiently. 



For assistance in preparing this report the author is indebted to all 

 students of New York birds who are mentioned in the introduction to the 

 summary of the published and county lists; to Dr Clarke, Director 

 of the State Museum, at whose suggestion the work was begun, and to his 

 corps of assistants who have helped in the study of the State's specimens 

 and records; to the authorities of the United States National Museum in 

 Washington, especially Professor Ridgway, Dr Richmond and Mr Riley 

 who have furnished free access to the specimens in the Smithsonian 

 collections of birds and eggs; to the authorities of the Biological Survey, 

 United States Department of Agriculture, who have placed their extensive 

 collection of records and specimens at his disposal, especially to Dr Merriam, 



