PREFACE. 



Although nearly five hundred pages of the present volume were 

 printed during the year 1903, the author's inability to complete the 

 manuscript in time necessitated suspension of presswork until July, 

 1904; hence publication of the volume has been delayed much beyond 

 the anticipated date. 



Part I, issued in 1901, included the Family Fringillidas (Finches) 

 alone. Part II, issued in 1902, included the families Tanagridce 

 (Tanagers), Icteridse (Troupials), Ccerebidse (Honey Creepers), and 

 Mniotiltidce (Wood "Warblers). The present volume comprises the 

 Motacillidse (Wagtails and Pipits), Hirundinidss (Swallows), Ampelidas 

 (Waxwings), Ptilogonatidee (Silky Flycatchers), Dulidse (Palm Chats), 

 Vireonidse (Vireos), Laniidas (Shrikes), Corvidse (Crows and Jays), 

 Paridse (Titmice), Sittidae (Nuthatches), CerthiidsB (Creepers), Trog- 

 lodytidffi (Wrens), Cinclidse (Dippers), Chamasidse (Wren-Tits), and 

 Sylviidse (Warblers). Part I V, which is about half completed, includes 

 the Turdidffi (Thrushes), Mimidse (Mockingbirds), Alaudidae (Larks), 

 Sturnidse (Starlings), Ploceidse (Weaver Birds), Oxyruncidse (Sharp- 

 bills), Tja-annidae (Tyrant Flycatchers), Pipridse (Manakins), and 

 Cotingidse (Chatterers.) 



In the three volumes which have been published there have been 

 described about twelve hundred and fifty species and subspecies, or 

 about two-fifths of the total number of North and Middle American 

 birds. 



Acknowledgments are due for the loan of specimens used in the 

 preparation of this volume to those individuals and public institutions 

 mentioned in Parts I and II. The extent to which these outside 

 sources have been drawn upon may be judged by the following state- 

 ment of the number of specimens of Troglodytidse (Wrens) alone 

 examined in the working up of that family: 



Collection of the U. S. National Museum 1,475 



Collection of the Biological Survey 1,090 



Collection of the American Museum of Natural History 407 



Collection of A. E. and 0. Bangs 297 



Collection of William Brewster 243 



Collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 176 



Collection of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 74 



Collection of Paul Bartsch 32 



Collection of the Boston Society of Natural History (Lafresnaye types) 14 



Collection of William Palmer 10 



Specimens of Troglodytidse examined 3,818 



Measurements in the present volume not made by the author were 

 taken by Mr. J. H. Riley, of the Division of Birds. 



Robert Ridgwat., 

 September 14, 1904. 



V 



