INTRODUCTION. ijc 



terrestrial in this respect. Many of them in fact are so large 

 that only a single figure could be given, and that not always in 

 so good an attitude as I could have wished. For this reason I 

 have sometimes been obliged to give the figure of the young in 

 a separate plate ; and this I shall in a few cases continue to do, 

 in order to correct the errors of authors respecting certain spe- 

 cies, which I have proved to be merely nominal. Still the num- 

 ber contained in the three volumes being six hundred and 

 seventy-four, there are more than two to each species. 



The engraving and colouring of the plates of this volume 

 have generally been considered as much superior even to those 

 of the second. Indeed, some of my patrons, both in Europe 

 and America, have voluntarily expressed their conviction of the 

 superiority of these plates. This is the more gratifying to me, 

 that it proves the unremitted care and perseverance of Mr 

 Havell and his assistants, of whom I mention with approba- 

 tion Messrs Blake and Edington. 



The Ornithology of the United States may be said to have 

 been commenced by Alexander Wilson, whose premature 

 death prevented him from completing his labours. It is un- 

 necessary for me to say hoW well he performed the task which 

 he had imposed upon himself ; for all natmalists, and many who 

 do not aspire to the name, acknowledge his great merits. But 

 although he succeeded in observing and obtaining a very great 

 number of our birds, he left for others many species which he 

 was unable to procure. These have been sought for with eager- 

 ness, and not vnthout success, by persons who have engaged in 

 the pursuit with equal ardour. The Prince of Musignanq, 

 full of enthusiasm, having his judgment matured by long obser- 

 vation, and his mind stored with useful learning, collected in 



