68 Mr. Peabody on the 
subject, that there are no birds which it is our interest 
to destroy. There are some which are occasionally 
troublesome in our fields and gardens; but, do what we 
will, we cannot prevent their depredations; if we shoot 
them, we only gratify our revengeful feeling, since new 
reinforcements stand ready to supply the place of every 
one that falls. And this is not the only thing to be 
regarded. In every instance of our removing a present 
inconvenience, we are opening a door for the entrance of 
much greater evils. But without any systematic dis- 
cussion of this point, I shall introduce remarks as they 
suggest themselves, in the course of the report, showing 
where we are indebted to any birds for services, and 
where we suffer from their depredations; leaving the reader 
to balance the one against the other, and to judge for him- 
self whether the course of mercy or revenge is the best for 
him to pursue. 
Having made these remarks in explanation of the plan 
which I propose to follow, I proceed to give the names 
of such residents and visiters in our State as I have been 
able to ascertain. There may be some passed over ; and 
if so, I hope that those who have not favored me with 
the results of their observations, will aid in accomplish- 
ing the objects of the survey, by giving the information 
they may possess, to the public, in some other form. 
DIEUSM.UF FREY. 
Tur Jrn-rancow, Falco Islandicus, a bold and 
graceful bird, is seldom found wandering far from 
the icy latitudes in which it dwells, and it is in only 
the depth of winter, that it is ever seen as far south 
