APPROVAL BY THE UNITED STATES 

 BUREAU OF EDUCATION 



In area Alaska is equal to New England, New York, New Jersey, 

 Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and the 

 two Dakotas. A map of Alaska, imposed upon a map of the United 

 States drawn to the same scale, would extend from Charleston, South 

 Carolina, to San Francisco. The coast-line of Alaska is longer by 

 many thousands of miles than the distance around the world at the 

 equator. The climate of Alaska varies from the soft, even climate of 

 southeastern Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, similar to that of the 

 coast of Oregon and Washington, to the uneven climate of the in- 

 terior and of the Northwest, with its annual swing of more than 160 

 degrees. 



We have heard much of Alaska within the last two decades — of 

 its mountains, rivers, and plains ; its seas, and islands, and glaciers ; 

 its forests and tundras ; its fishing-waters and hunting-grounds ; its 

 gold and copper — but we know little about its abundant and varied 

 bird-life; and the people of Alaska, particularly the white people, 

 seem to know not much more. How varied this life is we might guess 

 from the size, location, physical features, and climatic conditions of 

 the country. A brief visit at the proper season of the year gives some 

 idea as to its abundance. 



For the natives who have learned to read English, for the white 

 settlers, for the numerous visitors, and for thousands interested in 

 Alaska and all parts of the world, there has been need of such a brief, 

 accurate, and readable account of the important forms of bird-life 

 in the various parts of this great peninsula as that presented in this 

 book, prepared under the direction of the National Association of 

 Audubon Societies. That the people of Alaska may have an oppor- 

 tunity to inform themselves on this subject, and to deal with it in- 

 telligently, this Association has placed in the hands of the Commis- 

 sioner of Education of the United States eight thousand copies of this 

 book for distribution in Alaska. Every copy should bringf some one a 

 fuller appreciation of the beauty, the wealth, and the greatness of this 

 country. 



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