for assistance in press supervision. Only Mrs. Dawson's defiant modesty precludes 

 the appearance of her name with mine upon the title-page, for though she disclaims 

 an exact knowledge of birds (the dear lady still asks "Now was that the Bewick Wren?"- 

 when the Titmouse yodels), she really knows about all there is to know of the making 

 of bird-books, and as for grammatical distinctions I am putty in her hands. The 

 reader perceives our common good fortune. 



To Miss Fedora E. D. Brown the author is indebted for artistic cooperation in the 

 handling of prints, and to Mrs. Cornelia N. Shup for unusually able assistance in proof- 

 reading. Mr. Ray Bradfish is chiefly responsible for the art work upon the half-tones 

 and for the designing of the bindings. His capable cooperation is deeply appreciated. 



No publication, I believe, has ever enlisted a more competent and devoted alle- 

 giance of the printing trades and of their trained workers. The very office boys have 

 wrought on this work for the glory of accomplishment. My thanks are due to the 

 several firms which executed the project and to their always courteous managers. 

 In especial, whatever credit of workmanly finish is accruing for the physical volumes 

 is due to A. R. Warren, foreman of composition, Carl Seybold, "lock-up man," James 

 Butters, foreman of color engraving, Mickey Ferguson, press foreman, John Griesinger. 

 binding supervisor, and John Cairncross, to whom was entrusted the delicate task of 

 "chopping up" half a million dollars' worth of printed forms into the single sheets 

 required by our revolutionary system of binding. These have been the real "captains 

 of industry," and their troops have been, without exception, both skilled and loyal. 



It is the valued privilege of one who promotes the circulation of a subscription 

 work to establish a more or less personal relation with his subscribers. In view of 

 this may I be permitted to speak a direct and concluding word regarding the work 

 itself and regarding the future of the science in California? "The Birds of California" 

 is more elaborately conceived than any previous work upon birds in America. It 

 will no doubt disclose the lapses and omissions incident to so complex an undertaking. 

 Will the reader feel free to point these out, with any other suggestions which may occur 

 to him, with a view to future improvement? Such improvement could only be possible 

 upon the basis of continued and thoroughgoing cooperation. It is hoped, therefore, 

 that the publication of "The Birds of California" may quicken and focalize interest 

 in the birds of our most favored State, to the end that our knowledge of them may be- 

 come more accurate and more extended, that our materials for bird portraiture 

 may be more complete and more satisfying, and that the emphasis of our 

 interest may be shifted once and for all from slaughter to appreciation. The author, 

 therefore, invites all those who are seriously minded to realize these ends, to cooperate 

 with him in the development and in the defense of all the interests which are dear to the 

 science and to the art and to the understanding of BIRDS. 



WILLIAM LEON DAWSON. 



Santa Barbara, November loth, 1923. 



