PREFACE 



This list was originally prepared for use in collecting data for a bulletin 

 on the birds of New York, but, inasmuch as no check list of the birds of 

 the entire state is available for the student of our avi-fauna, it has been 

 thought advisable to publish it in this form, hoping that it may be of 

 some use to students in ornithology and serve as a convenient means of 

 keeping notes on the various species. 



My purpose has been to include all the birds known to occur or to 

 have occurred in our state, and only those forms have been admitted 

 that have actually been taken in New York. Thus the list contains not 

 only our regular summer and winter residents and migrants, but also 

 those that occur as irregular visitants or stragglers. A number of the 

 species recorded have been taken only once or twice in the state and 

 this is in nearly every case indicated in a foot note with the proper 

 reference. It is believed that nearly, if not quite all the birds of our 

 state, that have been recorded, are included; but for any corrections or 

 additions the author will be grateful. 



The list is divided into two parts, the first containing those birds that 

 have actually been taken in New York, the second including those of 

 which we have no satisfactory state records, but which, having been 

 taken in adjoining states, may be looked for in New York. 



Strict adherence is given to the nomenclature of the American 

 ornithologists union check list of 1895 and the supplements of January 

 1897 and 1899. The number of the species in this list is followed by 

 the American ornithologists union number in parentheses or brackets, 

 and as the pamphlet is designed for the use of students rather than ad- 

 vanced workers, the common name is given first. 



My obligations are due to Dr F. J. H. Merrill, whose kind aid and 

 criticism have been a source of inspiration in my work. Also to 

 Dr J. A. Allen and Mr William Dutcher of New York, Dr William 

 Brewster of Cambridge, and Dr A. W. Butler of Indianapolis, who have 

 been so kind as to give me notes and suggestions on several species. 



MARCUS S. FARR 



New York state museum Assistant zoologist 



8 Feb. 1900 



M366812 



