xviii 



PREFACE 



Waders and Web-footed, a vast and various multitude, subsisting 

 chiefly on the bounty of the ocean, and the gleanings of our rivers, 

 lakes and marshes. These will be introduced to the particular 

 acquaintance of the reader in the succeeding volumes of this work. 



Hitherto the good wishes of his friends, and the distinguish- 

 ed approbation of his beloved country have accompanied the au- 

 thor in his humble endeavours to do justice to this portion of its 

 natural history. Deeply sensible of this goodness, he will only 

 say, that in what still remains to be done, it will be his constant 

 aim so to execute it, as not to disappoint expectation. 



ALEXANDER WILSON. 



Philadelphia, Jlugust 12th, 1812. 



