Mr. Peabody on the Birds of Massachusetts. 65 
ART. II. — 4 REPORT ON THE BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS 
MADE TO THE LEGISLATURE IN THE SESSION OF 1838-9. 
By Rev. W. B. O. PrAsopny, Springfield, Mass. 
^ INTRODUCTION. 
Tue history and habits of our birds are not yet fully 
understood, and notwithstanding all which has been done, 
many experiments and observations would be necessary to 
ascertain them more satisfactorily, and accomplish all the 
objects of a survey. It will, moreover, be obvious, that, 
were I so situated as to be able to make them, it could not 
be done without employing in it several successive years. 
I therefore communicate such information as I have, trust- 
ing that our present. knowledge will soon be extended by 
the active and intelligent observers, who are engaged in 
this delightful study. — 
One object proposed is, to enumerate the birds of Mas- 
sachusetts; another, to give what information we possess 
respecting their habits, particularly such as cultivators are 
interested to know. As Nuttall's valuable Manual is ac- 
cessible to most readers, I have thought it better to refer 
to him for descriptions of the appearance of our birds, than 
to swell this report by repeating them. For the same 
reason, I shall follow his arrangement, subjoining to my 
account of each bird all I can learn respecting its services 
and depredations; that the husbandman and horticulturist 
may determine which it is his interest to protect, and 
which he has a right to destroy; or rather, whether it is 
not the part of wisdom to encourage and protect them all. 
With respect to the first of these objects, it would be A 
easy to give the names of those which remain with us. 
VOL. III.—NO. I—II. 
