PREFACE 



Having searched in vain for more than thirty years for a 

 simple text-book to assist in the study of general — and es- 

 pecially North American — Ornithology, the writer has de- 

 cided, at length, to make one for himself. The work w T as 

 planned some years ago ; and the following letter was written 

 in answer to a communication anticipating, in a great measure, 

 these very pages, and will explain itself: 



"Wood's Hole, Mass., June 17, 1871. 

 My Dear Sir: 



Your letter of the 6th has been forwarded to 

 me from Washington, and in reply it gives me pleasure to authorize any 

 use you desire of the material published in my work on the Birds of North 

 America. 



I shall, of course, be gratified to have you make whatever acknowl- 

 edgment you may think best of the service which you consider that this 

 may have been to you. 



Very truly Yours, 



Spexcer F. Baird." 

 iv. 



