Introduction 



This state of things naturally created considerable confusion a confusion which 

 must unfortunately continue to exist in all our bird literature antedating in publication 

 the year 1885. 



In that year the AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGIST'S UNION adopted a Code of Rules, and 

 issued a Check List prepared by a committee appointed by the Society. This document 

 was compiled with so much learning and conservative wisdom, that its authority has 

 been recognized by most if not all ornithologists and its nomenclature adopted. The 

 arrangement and nomenclature of this List have been followed as a matter of course, in the 

 present book, so far as the Latin names are concerned. In regard to the common names 

 of birds, however, which are in no sense scientific, the author has frequently allowed 

 himself to make use of those which seem to him more familiar. For example, Pine 

 Finch instead of Pine Siskin, Indigo-bird instead of Indigo Bunting, Red Crossbill instead 

 of American Crossbill, etc., etc. 



Many books have been consulted to correct or confirm the author's own statements ; 

 likewise to furnish authority for the descriptions appertaining to a small number of 

 specimens which he has not seen in life, but which, for the sake of completeness, he 



