Our Common Birds and How to Know Them 



which, he says, "occurs as a straggler from Europe in Greenland, and also, it is said, in 

 Bermuda and Alaska," and the Great Auk, of which he writes, "It seems very im- 

 probable that the species lived down to 1870," having "lost the use of his wings and 

 perished off the face of the earth in consequence." 



It is not likely that the unprofessional observer will meet with one-quarter of this 

 number. Indeed, three hundred kinds would be a great many to be observed by the most 

 enthusiastic and diligent professional ornithologist in any one locality. 



The birds forming the little collection described in this book, are embraced under live 

 of the Orders, viz. : 



Raptores, Coccyges, Pici, Macrochires and Passeres, and belong to the following families : 



Bubonidae. Trochilids. Tanagridae. Mniotiltida?. 



Cuculidae. Tyrannidae. Hirundinida? Troglodytidae. 



Alcedinidae. Alaudidae. Ampelidae. Paridae. 



Picidae. Corvida?. Laniidae. Sylviidae, ami 



Caprimulgida;. Icteridae. Vireonids. Turdidae. 



Micropodidx. Fringillidx. 



They are representatives of eleven sub-families and number ninety individuals. 



