INTRODUCTORY. 



Office of Seceetaby of State, \ 

 Topeka, Kansas, July 5, 1883. J 

 Col. N. S. Goss, Topeka, Kansas: 



Dear Sie: The Executive Council, at its regular session on the 27th 

 day of June last, adopted a preamble and resolution of which the fol- 

 lowing is a copy, viz. : 



Whereas, The Executive Council believes that a catalogue of the biroV of this State 

 would be of great value to our educational institutions, and of interest to the people ; 

 therefore, 



Resolved, That Col. N. S. Goss be requested to prepare for publication, a catalogue of 

 the birds of Kansas, brought up to the present time. 



Very respectfully, 



JAMES SMITH, 



Secretary of Stale. 



Topeka, Kansas, August 20, 1883. 

 Hon. James Smith, Secretary of State: 



Deae Sie : In compliance with request by resolution of the Execu- 

 tive Council, dated June 27th, 1883, as per notice received from you on 

 the 5th ult., I have the honor to transmit herewith, for publication, a 

 catalogue of the birds of Kansas, based upon observations in the field, 

 and knowledge gathered during a residence of over twenty-six years in 

 the State. 



I have duly accredited in the list, all birds reported taken that are new 

 to the State, also the authority for those inserted that have not come 

 under my observation. 



Geographically, Kansas lies in the very center of the continent, 

 stretching across the line east and west a distance of four hundred and 

 ten miles, with a gradual elevation from the low bottom and timbered 

 lands (altitude 750 feet), to the high, treeless plains (altitude 3,500 

 feet), thus giving a diversity of soil and change in climate that makes 

 its avian fauna rich and varied. 



The list now embraces 49 families, and 320 species and races. Of 



