PREFA CE. 
vii. 
Throughout the work, considerable prominence has been given to 
those interesting and curious phases of bird-life which are present during 
the breeding-period, and which have been the jDrincipal study of the 
author for many years. Extraneous matter has been sedulously omitted, 
and nothing permitted to appear about which there could be serious 
doubts of accuracy. While he has drawn largely and, in very many 
instances, almost entirely from his own observations, recorded and unre- 
corded, for material, he has not hesitated to consult the writings of others, 
or to avail himself of the statements of reliable correspondents, where his 
own knowledge has been incomplete or defective. Wilson, Audubon, 
Nuttall, Brewer, although dead, have spoken to him through their valu- 
able works, and yielded up their varied observations for occasional selec- 
tions. Among living authors, to Baird, Coues, Ridgway, Allen, Samuels, 
Cory and Minot, and others less eminent, he has had access through their 
writings, and he now takes this opportunity of returning to them his 
grateful acknowledgments. 
In the arrangement of the details of the Plates, the artist has been 
subject to the suggestions and dictations of the author, the constant aim 
of the latter being to secure accuracy in this respect, as well as the great- 
est variety possible. The typograp>hy, for clearness, sharj^ness, regularity 
and finish, has rarely been surpassed by that of any other work. Much 
praise is due the enterprising publisher for his liberality and public- 
spiritedness. 
With these few preliminary remarks, we send this beautiful book out 
into the world, trusting that it may meet with a cordial reception every- 
where. If it be the means of acquainting man with the lovable manners 
and interesting domestic relations of a few, though not all, of our feath- 
ered friends, and of restraining our youth from nest-destroying propensities 
