XIV. 



to Ohio species. Where specimens or data were lacking, I have been under 

 obligation to Ridgway's Manual^ Cones' Key^ Chapman's Handbook^ and 

 other treatises. 



The scope of this book, it is almost needless to say, is strictly Ohioan. 

 The birds as described are as any one in Ohio might see theci. Something 

 may, indeed, be said from time to time as to the bird's behavior in its distant 

 summer or winter home, but our interest centers upon the bird as it appears 

 in this state. The proportionate treatment, therefore, which each one re- 

 ceives, is prescribed by its relative familiarity or importance within our limits. 

 Common birds are not dismissed with a word because they are common, nor 

 rare ones dilated upon at great length because they are rare, but the effort 

 has been rather to give each bird the place which it actually holds in the 

 average scheme of interest. 



The order of treatment is substantially the opposite of the one nO'W 

 followed by the American Ornithologists' Union, and is justifiable princi- 

 pally on the ground that it follows a certain order of interest and convenience. 

 Beginning, as it does, with the supposedly highest forms of bird-life, it brings 

 to the fore the most familiar bii'ds, and avoids that rude juxtaposition of 

 the lowest form of one group and the highest of the one above it, which is 

 the confessed weakness of the A. O. U. code. 



The summaries under the caption "General Range" are chiefly those 

 furnished by the Second Edition of the A. O. U. Check-list, modified by such 

 more recent information as has come to hand. 



While the author's point O'f view has been that of a bird-lover, some 

 things here recorded may seem inconsistent with the claim of that title. The 

 fact is that none of us are quite consistent in our attitude toward the bird- 

 world. The interests of sport and the interests of science must sometimes 

 come into conflict with those of sentiment; and if one confesses allegiance 

 to all three at once he vvill inevitably appear to the partisans of either in a 

 bad light. However, a real principal of unity is found when we come to 

 regard the bird's value to society. The question then becomes, not, Is this 

 bird worth more to me in my collection or upon my plate than as a living 

 actor in the drama of life? but. In what capacity can this bird best serve the 

 interests of mankind? There can be no doubt that the answer to the latter 

 question is usually and increasingly, As a living bird. We have stuffed speci- 

 mens enough, nearly; only a limited few of us are fitted to enjoy the pleasures 

 of the chase, and the objects of our passion are about gone anyway; but 

 never while the hearts of men are set on peace, and the minds of men are 

 alert to receive the impression of the Infinite, will there be too many birds 

 to speak to eye and ear, and to minister to the hidden things of the spirit. 



1 A Manual of North American Birds, by Robert Kidgway. Fourth Edition. Philadelphia- T B 

 Lippincott Company. 



2 Key to North American Birds, by Elliott Coues, A.M., M.D., Ph.D. Fourth Edition, Boston: Estes 

 and Lauriat. 



3 Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America, by Frank M. Chapman. Sixth Edition. New York- 

 D. Appleton and Company. 



