VI. 
PREFA CE. 
view, and endeavored to fnlfil. To future series, if there should he a 
demand, we will leave the continuation of the subject, when, not being 
necessarily restricted to family types, we shall labor to invest the Plates 
with greater charms and attractiveness in the shape of rarer and more 
magnificent birds. 
Upon cursory examination it will readily be pei’ceived that the work 
has considerably deviated from its original aim. This change occurred 
shortly after the issuance of the third number, and in obedience to the 
popular demand, which insisted that the birds should be given with the 
nests, thereby entailing increased expense, but adding, it cannot be denied, 
largely to the beauty, utility and value of the publication. This innova- 
tion, dictated by good sense and sound knowledge, necessitated further 
expenditures of capital. In order that an air of uniformity should jjer- 
vade the entire work, it was very essential that extra plates of birds 
should be furnished for the early drawings of nests. Determined that the 
work should be first class in every respect, and well worthy of patronage, 
the publisher spared not the expense, and once more exceeded the prom- 
ises made to his patrons. 
Especial pains have been taken with the text. The aim of the author 
has been to present a short, plain and detailed account of the habits of 
each species described, from the time of its arrival, if a migrant, until 
its retirement to the South in the fall. In the case of resident birds, he 
has been particular to give their winter history in addition to that of the 
breeding season, in the same orderly and continuous manner as is api^arent 
in his descriptions of their more migratory brethren. The presentation of 
the events in regular sequence, if great care be not taken, is sure to lead 
to monotony. This he has tried to avoid, but how well he has succeeded, 
he defers to the judgment of his readers. 
