PREFATORY STATEMENT. 
As the author intimates in his Preface, the manuscript for the ‘‘Notes” 
was begun several years ago and has been ready for publication for 
some time. 
The work represented by the ‘‘Notes,” was begun a number of years 
ago, when the State Geologist, Prof. N.H. Winchell, still superintended all 
the work of The Geological and Natural History Survey. It is therefore 
but just to Prof. Winchell (and to myself also), to state that in calling 
upon Dr. Hatch for his manuscript and seeing it through the press, I 
have (for reasons that will become evident in future publications), not 
assumed any editorial responsibilities, but have, as State Zodlogist, 
simply discharged a duty the ‘‘Survey” owes the author, who years ago 
was requested by Prof. Winchell to write this report and who has spent 
much time 1nd money upon it. 
It has been impossible to refer any portion of the proof to the author 
or to consult him in regard to style of type, etc. For this reason special 
care was taken in reading the proof, and as the manuscript had all 
‘‘passed”’ before the author forwarded it to me froia the far west, and I 
had the final proof carefully compared with the manuscript, the author 
will not, I trust, be misrepresented. Naturally, however, some things 
will appear that the author would have eliminated or modified. Circum- 
stances and time would not permit, and I trust this will to some extent 
mollify the critics. 
It isa matter of no small regret that the bird material, upon which 
this report is based, is not the property of the ‘‘Survey” and is not acces- 
sible for reference and comparison. All of it ought to be here, properly 
preserved and labelled. But 1 have considered this subject elsewhere 
and need not consider it any further here. 
HENRY F. NACHTRIEB, 
State Zodlogist, 
University of Minnesota. 
