Article XXIV.— Annotated liist of the Birds of 



By Dr. ITIorris Oibbs. 



LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



Kalamazoo, Michigan, October 1, 1879. 



Sir : In compliance with yonr invitation of June 25, 1879, I liave the honor to trans- 

 mit herewith an ''Annotated List of the Birds of Michigan." 



This catalogue includes, with few exceptions, those species only which are well 

 established as occurring in this State; among them being many of rare or casual 

 appearance, or never before catalogued as birds of Michigan, the evidence of the cap- 

 ture of which in the State is presented. Although not to be regarded as complete, the 

 list nevertheless gives upward of 300 species, among them being some sixty not here- 

 tofore accredited to Michigan. 



This State has unfortunately received less attention from ornithologists than the 

 interest which attaches to its peculiar avifauna would seem to invite; there being but 

 few lists, and no systematic work, devoted to the subject. The State Geological Report, 

 1839, is said to contain a synopsis of Michigan birds by Dr. A. Sager; and a list of 212 

 species was published in 1853 by Mr. Charles Fox. The State Geological Report for 1860 

 contains a list of Michigan birds by Dr. M. Miles, giving 203 species and varieties. 

 Mr. A. H. Boies's list, published in 1875, and containing 211 species, only professes to 

 represent the ornithology of the southern part, of the lower peninsula. Mr. Adolphe 

 B. Covert's list of 1878, with 244 species, likewise relates only to the birds of the lower 

 peninsula, and omits some species now well ascertained to occur. Mr. W. H. Hughes 

 has also published an annotated list in the "Valley Naturalist" of Saint Louis, Mo., 

 No. 3, 1878, and subsequent issues of that paper. 



This catalogue is mainly the result of my own observations, but I am indebted to 

 others, in addition to the above-named sources of information, for many valuable facts ; 

 and I take jileasure in acknowledging such obligation to the Hon..D. Darwin Hughes, 

 and C. W. Gunn, esq., of Grand Rapids; to Jerome Trombly, esq., of Petersburg; ami 

 to Dr. H. A. Atkins, of Locke. 



Special attention is x^aid in this list to the local distribution of the species within the 

 State, to their migrations, and breeding. The data given in these regards rest upon 

 accurate and reliable observations. 



Hoping that this contribution to our knowledge of the avifauna of Michigan may 

 meet with your approval, 

 I am. Sir, &c., 



MORRIS GIBBS. 

 Dr. Elliott Coues, U. S. A., 



Secretary U. S. Geological Sun-ey, 



Washingtov, D. C. 



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