INTRODUCTORY. 
Since moving to Virginia in 1889, I have been actively 
engaged in bird work some part of each year, with the 
exception of two (which was then carried on by my 
father), until the present time, during which period a 
large amount of specimens, data, and general information 
has been gathered. From this accumulation I have taken 
the greater part of the material used in this book. To 
the American Ornithologists Union Check List, I am 
indebted for the ranges of our birds; correcting such data 
where the birds were known to breed or winter within our 
area, and were not so listed in the “Check List.” To the 
U. 8. Department of Agriculture I am indebted for the 
data on the food of a number of birds, ones I have not 
had time to make this close study of. To my friends, 
who have contributed photographs and data, credit for 
which is given elsewhere in each instance, I again thank. 
For the benefit of those not familiar with the American 
Ornithologists Union Check List of North American 
Birds, I wish to state that the number in brackets preced- 
ing the scientific name represents its classified place in 
that list; while the names in brackets following the 
vernacular name, i. e., Bluebird, Robin, are the local 
names by which the different species are known by persons 
throughout our State. The dates of arrival and departure 
of migratory breeding birds are average dates; those of 
the land birds being gathered almost exclusively on the 
James River Peninsula, while those of the sea birds from 
the vicinity of Smith’s, Cobb’s, and Hog islands. The 
measurements of eggs, which is in hundredths of an inch, 
as well as the nesting material, height of nest, etc., also is 
the average, exceptions to all cases of course being found. 
I have placed in the “Hypothetical List” only such birds 
as should breed within our State, but which I have been 
