lO EDITOR S PREFACE. 



pen, or one whose hand still knows the weapon mightier 

 than the sword — proves to be that sense of justice 

 which tries the amenities of the golden rule by the best 

 touchstone — nil nisi verum. 



It is scarcely necessary to say, that, as in the case 

 of the former volume, the author of "New England 

 Bird Life" has in the present instance had full per- 

 mission to make such use as he might see fit of any of 

 the editor's previous publications ; and it has not been 

 necessary, under the circumstances, to always preserve 

 the appearance of quotation. With some exceptions, 

 the illustrations are derived from the same sources. 

 The classification and nomenclature are of course those 

 of the second edition of the editor's " Check List of 

 North American Birds " — that published the past year 

 in Boston by Estes and Lauriat ; this selection being 

 made in the interest of a standard and uniform system 

 of nomenclature, conformity with which seems to be 

 the best means of avoiding that incessant " shuffling of 

 names " which serves chiefly to confuse the student, 

 and by so much to interfere with his progress in the 

 delightful study of ornithology. 



E. C. 



Smithsonian Institution, 

 Washington, D. C, Jan. i, 1883. 



