INTRODUCTION. vii 
Widgeon or Blue-winged Teal, or perhaps the breast of a 
Turkey, or a steak of venison, sends its delicious perfumes 
abroad, he enters into his parchment-bound journal the re- 
markable incidents and facts that have occurred in the course 
of the day. Darkness has now drawn her sable curtain over 
the scene, his repast is finished, and kneeling on the earth he 
raises his soul to Heaven, grateful for the protection that has 
been granted to him and the sense of the Divine presence in 
this solitary place. Then wishing a cordial good night to all 
the dear friends at home, THE AMERICAN WOODSMAN wraps 
himself up in his blanket, and closing his eyes, soon falls into 
that comfortable sleep which never fails him on such occa- 
sions. ' 
Since I last parted from you, my exertions have been un- 
remitted, and my rambles extended as far as circumstances al- 
lowed, for I have been ever anxious to render the fourth and 
concluding volume of my Illustrations as worthy of your ap- 
probation as | could. Whether I have added to our know- 
ledge of the birds which constantly reside within the limits of 
the United States and their Territories, or periodic™ lly visit us 
from the South, it is yours tosay. That I have left undone much 
that might have been accomplished by an abler student of Na- 
ture, is doubtless quite true; but that any would have prose- 
cuted the study of our numerous feathered denizens with more 
good will or more sincere desire to obtain facts and rectify er- 
rors, would, I think, be difficult to prove If my “ Birds of 
America,” and *‘ Ornithological Biography,” are looked upon 
by you as having contributed in some degree to the improve- 
ment of our knowlege of these my favourite objects of obser- 
vation, and as likely to stimulate other and perhaps more suc- 
