PREFACE. 
XI 
between its temperature and that of the main land. It is a low sandy region, 
with extensive plains, and rising along its northern borders into hills of moderate 
elevation, at but one point only exceeding three hundred feet in height. Although 
much smaller than any of the preceding districts, yet it possesses some zoological 
features of interest. Its insular position, and its early settlement, has occasioned 
the extirpation of the larger quadrupeds, such as the Otter, Wolf and Bear ; but 
deer are still numerous. It is more remarkable for the abundance and variety of 
its birds, than for the number of its mammalia. Here we find the extreme 
southern limits of the migrations of the arctic species, and the northernmost 
termination of the wanderings of the birds of the torrid zone. Thus we find in 
winter in this district, the Eider Duck, the Little White Goose, the Great Cor¬ 
morant, the Auk, and many others from the Arctic ocean. During the heats of 
summer, we meet with the Turkey Buzzard and Swallow-tailed Kite, the Fork¬ 
tailed Flycatcher from the tropical wilds of Guiana, and numerous others from 
the south. It seems also to be the boundary between the fishes and other classes 
of the northern and tropical seas, and occasionally furnishes specimens from either 
extremity. 
In conclusion, we have to make a few observations respecting the illustrations 
which accompany this work. These were all executed by Mr. J. W. Hill, and 
with the exceptions which are noted in their proper places, were taken from the 
animal itself, either alive, or from specimens carefully mounted by persons who 
had been conversant with their habits during life. In some classes, where the 
colors were fleeting, several individuals were successively employed, in order to 
secure with more certainty their evanescent hues. The outlines in all cases were 
taken with the camera lucida, which we conceive to be the best and most ex¬ 
peditious mode hitherto devised. It will be observed that the figures are not on 
a uniform scale, and that a small animal is often represented apparently larger 
than one of greater bulk. This could not be remedied, except by drawing them 
all on a scale which would have involved an expense of time and means utterly 
useless, and inadequate to the purposes of the Survey. This apparent defect is 
remedied by a notice on the plate, of the scale upon which the species is drawn ; 
and the measurements throughout the work are uniformly given in feet, inches, 
tenths and hundredths, which correspond with those employed by the English. 
It was originally proposed to employ the most eminent engravers upon the 
illustrations, in order to render the work more worthy of the State under whose 
auspices it was undertaken, and at the same time to furnish specimens of the 
