INTRODUCTION. 87 



lively song, and he has not his equal. As before, however, 

 the birds that approach nearest the fishes are rightfully 

 placed the lowest (Penguins, Grebes, Divers, etc.). 



In writing the present catalogue I have received much 

 assistance from the excellent list of Dr. Eliot Coues ; also 

 from the very complete list of Mr. J. A. Allen, to whom I 

 express my sincere thanks for other services. I am also 

 under obligations, for valuable information, to Mr. William 

 Brewster, of Cambridge; Professor S. F. Baird, of the 

 Smithsonian Institution; Mr. H. B. Farley, of Chelsea; 

 Mr. E. L. Weeks, of NewtonviUe ; Mr. J. F. Le Baron, of 

 Ipswich ; and especially to Mr. Henry A. Purdie, of West 

 Newton, for valuable notes concerning the time of migra- 

 tion, etc. 



In giving the time of migration, I have taken the aver- 

 age for many years, or the earliest or latest date observed 

 d.uring a similar period. 



All information that I have received has been accredited 

 to the individuals who have given it. The occurrence of 

 all other birds, or notes upon them, I have given upon my 

 own authority. When facts about some particular species 

 are well known, having been published before, I have not 

 repeated them. 



0. J. M. 

 Newtomviu^ September 20, 1869. 



