PREFACE 



TT is customary at the close of a Preface to make some 

 -■- acknowledgment of the services rendered by others 

 in the preparation of a volume ; but in my case this aid 

 has been so generous, so abundant, and so helpful, that 

 I must reverse the order of things and begin by saying 

 that my heartiest thanks are due to the many who have 

 assisted me in a work which for many years has been 

 my dream. 



Without the very material aid, both by pen and advice, 

 of Dr. Elliott Coues, these pages would have lost more than 

 I care to contemplate. All the zoological notes are his, 

 and many of the geographical, besides suggestions too 

 numerous to mention; moreover, all this assistance was 

 most liberally given at a time when he personally was 

 more than busy ; and yet my wishes and convenience have 

 always been consulted. 



Next to the memory of my father, Mr. Ruthven Deane 

 has been the motive power which has caused this volume 

 to be written. For many years he has urged me to at- 

 tempt it, and has supplied me with some valuable mate- 

 rial, especially regarding Henderson. During the months 

 that I have been working on much that I have felt incom- 

 petent to deal with, his encouragement has helped me 

 over many a difficulty. 



