INTRODUCTION 



THIS volume on Alaskan Bird-Life has been prepared 

 for free distribution among the people of Alaska. 

 This has been done in pursuance of the established 

 policy of this Association to seek, by all available measures, 

 to cultivate on the part of the general American public a 

 better appreciation of the value to mankind of our wild 

 birds and animals. 



In offering this account of bird-life in Alaska, we 

 have attempted to furnish a general sketch of the subject, 

 rather than a scientific treatise. The greatest care has been 

 taken as to accuracy. All of the writers whose contrib- 

 utions are here combined, and given a certain uniformity, 

 are men of recognized authority in their subject. The 

 purpose primarily in view, however, is educational; to give 

 those who have an interest in the animal life of their 

 country additional knowledge, and to attract to the subject 

 the attention of those who, largely from lack of inform- 

 ation, have neglected what others have found to be a most 

 delightful study. 



The mere enjoyment derived from knowing the birds, 

 recognizing them by name, and observing the varying 

 characteristics and habits of the different local groups and 

 species, offers a satisfactory inducement for study, and is an 

 adequate reward, increasing as knowledge progresses. This 

 alone might well be a sufficient reason for publishing and 

 distributing a book of this kind. The Association and the 

 Government have had, however, an additional, and perhaps an 

 even higher purpose in view, namely, to teach the people of 

 Alaska, and especially the boys and girls there, to under- 

 stand and appreciate the very important place which the 

 birds of this country — or of any country — occupy in the 

 list of national assets. 



To impress this truth on the minds of the American 

 people, to teach those who are ignorant and encourage 

 those who are wise, and to form and enforce legislation 



