viii PREFACE. 
written for collectors, being chiefly manuals of taxidermy. 
The former, so far as it extends, is the fuller of the two. The 
author of this ornithological biography has endeavored to make 
it inexpensive, trustworthy, original,.and not a compilation. 
He is aware that it is incomplete, treating only of the land- 
birds and game-birds, which are, of all, however, the most 
accessible to a majority of persons, the most numerous, and 
certainly the most generally interesting. He hopes, however, 
that should this volume be favorably received, some naturalist 
will undertake the biography of the wading and swimming 
birds, which he himself is incapable of doing, not having had 
opportunities to make sufficient observations. This volume 
may be found further incomplete, and he hopes therefore that 
criticisms and corrections will be freely made, that into a 
second edition, should there be one, he may incorporate ad- 
ditional facts. That he might not be, or seem guilty of pla- 
giarism, he has written his biographies before reading those.of 
others, and has afterwards consulted Wilson, etc., for such inter- 
esting facts as were unmentioned by himself. These borrowed 
statements, or passages quoted for their intrinsic value, have 
been invariably attributed to their authors, or placed in quota- 
tion-marks.9 Sometimes, however, in spite of these precau- 
tions, he has employed much the same words as other writers, 
in describing the same facts. The biographies of the game- 
birds have been contributed by a friend, except those of the 
Canada and Pinnated Grouse. 
The author has endeavored to mention in detail the ordinary 
or minor notes of various birds, since these are often more satis- 
factorily characteristic than musical notes, which are usually 
heard during a limited portion of the year. He has, moreover, 
endeavored, when possible, to convey an idea of several songs 
9In the case of a few rare birds, the author has satisfied himself with corrobor- 
ating the statements of others, instead of making statements based entirely upon 
his own authority and experience. He has not hesitated, however, to stute very 
general facts, which he cannot personally attest, such as that vultures feed chiefly 
on carrion, etc. These cases are principally confined to remarks on distribution 
and habitat. : 
