IV PREFACE. 



realize how rapidly our knowledge in this department has 

 advanced within the last fifteen years. 



Whether or not the book on the " Birds of I^ew England " 

 aided this advance, it certainly added to the number of 

 observers. Ornithology seemed to become popularized 

 among us at once, and it was astonishing to see how 

 rapidly each edition was succeeded by another. 



The demand still continues, notwithstanding there ure 

 now a number of other books to be obtained, some of 

 which cover a portion of the ground occupied by this 

 work. 



Some of these books are reliable and valuable, and others 

 are probably destined to scarcely more than a passing popu- 

 larity, although the author of one makes the pretentious 

 claim that it practically supersedes this book. 



In the present edition a portion of the biographies has 

 been entirely rewritten and enlarged, and new illustrations 

 added, all of which, it is hoped, will add to the value of 

 the work. 



It has been decided in this issue to change the title 

 of the book. Treating as it does of many birds wdiich 

 occur in States outside of New England, as well as within 

 its limits, there seems no impropriety in removing from 

 the title the suggestion of exclusiveness conveyed by the 

 former name, and under the not inappropriate title of 

 " Our Northern and Eastern Birds," it is hoped that the 

 book will meet with a continuation of the favor it re- 

 ceived when apparently treating onlj^ of the species found 

 in New Eno-land. 



In the preparation of the work I was greatly indebted 

 to Professor Spencer F. Baird, of Washington, for his 

 generous permission to use the descriptions of the birds 

 wliich had been given by him in the ninth volume of the 

 Pacific Kailroad Reports ; for this kindness I again return 

 thanks, and to the many other friends %vho lent me valu- 

 able assistance I also renew acknowledgments. 



Edward A. Samuels. 

 Boston, April 36, 1883. 



