X INTRODUCTION. 



our woods and prairies, by oui- great rivers, and along our extend- 

 ed shores, materials sufficient for fom- superb volumes, intended 

 as a continuation of Wilson's work. Thomas Nuttall, 

 equally learned and enthusiastic, next entered the field. His 

 Manual of our Birds contains a mass of useful information, and 

 is for the most part excellent. Many others have, in various 

 ways, endeavoured to extend our knowledge on this subject ; 

 but with the exception of Thomas Say, none have published 

 their discoveries in a connected form. Dr Harlan has given 

 to the world an excellent account of our Mammalia ; various 

 works on MoUusca have appeared, and at present Dr Horl- 

 BECK of Charleston is engaged in publishing an account of our 

 Reptiles. 



Along our extended frontiers I have striven to observe and 

 gather whatever had escaped the notice of the different collec- 

 tors ; and now, kind Reader, to prove to you that if not so for- 

 tunate as I had wished, I yet have done all that was in my 

 power, I present you with a third volume of Ornithological Bio- 

 graphies, in which you will find some account of about sixty 

 species of Water Birds not included in the works of Wilson. 

 These, at one season or other, are to be met vrith along the 

 shores or streams of the United States. Some of them are cer- 

 tainly very rare, others remarkable in form and habits ; but all, 

 I trust, you will find distinct from each other, and not inaccu- 

 rately described. 



The difficulties which are to be encountered in studying the 

 habits of our Water Birds are great. He who follows the fea- 

 thered inhabitants of the forests and plains, however rough or 

 tangled the paths may be, seldom fails to obtain the objects of 

 his pursuit, provided he be possessed of due enthusiasm and per- 



