PREFACE, 



In presenting to the public "Illustrations of the Nests and Eggs of Birds of Ohio," we ask that it 

 be received with due consideration of the circumstances attending its publication. The plates have, for 

 the most part, been drawn and colored by one accidentally called to the task, and the text has been 

 prepared, from first to last, at such odd hours as could be spared from an active practice in the field of 

 medicine and surgery. And now, after eight years of labor, having brought to conclusion this costly and 

 painstaking work, it may not be uninteresting to those who possess it, nor out of place in us as its authors 

 in part, to particularize somewhat in regard to the successes and discouragements attending its progress, 

 and also to give credit to all who have been connected with its interests, in order that whatever of 

 merit or demerit lies within its covers may be properly placed. 



In 1877, Miss Genevieve Estelle Jones determined to make a series of plates illustrating the nests 

 and eggs of Ohio birds, and, with the assistance of an intimate friend, Miss Eliza J. Shulze, soon arranged 

 a plan of work. After many preliminai'ies, it was agreed that the drawing and coloring should be done 

 entirely by themselves, and the text prepared by Dr. Howard Jones. It was further agreed that, so far 

 as necessary, the nests and eggs to be illustrated should be collected and arranged by Dr. Jones, and, 

 whenever possible, these specimens should be fresh, rather than be taken from his cabinet. These points 

 and many others having been decided, the work was begun in earnest. The young ladies had done some 

 work with the pencil and brush, but neither had received any artistic schooling. The first thing to be 

 acquired was the drawing upon stone, a?s the outlines of the plates were to be produced by lithography. 

 After some weeks of practice, Miss Shulze produced Plate I, and Miss Jones Plate IL These having 

 been printed successfully, were followed by Plates III and V by Miss Shulze, and Plates IV, VI, and 

 XV by Miss Jones, All of these but Plate XV were then colored^ and I, II, and III, with their 

 accompanying text, were issued as Part I to the few subscribers who had been obtained by sending a short 

 prospectus of the proposed work to such persons as could be heard of. This first part was sent out in July, 

 1879. Miss Shulze was, at this time, in the mountains of Pennsylvania for the summer, coloring and drawing. 

 The part had but reached the subscribers, and encouraging comments were being received, when Miss 

 Jones was taken ill with typhoid fever, and, after a lingering sickness, died on the 17th day of August, 

 aged thirty-two years. Miss Shulze hastened home at the announcement, and for some weeks no decision 



