VI ADVERTISEMENT. 



able that readers will be led by the technical aim 

 of the work to make scientific researches for 

 themselves. The study is one of great reach, 

 and leads, like all kindred branches, to a love 

 and wider knowledge of nature. Those, there- 

 fore, who find themselves impelled to investiga- 

 tions of a more advanced order will be grateful 

 for the help here aiforded, while those who pro- 

 ceed no farther will find the country more friendly 

 for such aid. 



The descriptions have been confined chiefly to 

 the Birds of the United States, but in a few 

 instances others have been introduced for the pur- 

 pose of better illustrating the subject or increasing 

 the information respecting the peculiarities of any 

 tribe. 



While many of the cuts of the first edition were 

 original, others were after Audubon ; but in the 

 present new edition twelve half-tone plates of the 

 best workmanship have been introduced, which not 

 only bring the illustrations down to date in artis- 

 tic finish, but will be found exceedingly helpful in 

 their distinct reproduction of details and bird-cha- 

 racter. 



