PREFACE. 



BOOKS on Natural History, calculated to improve the taste, 

 to enlarge the understanding and better the heart, as they are 

 friends to the whole human race, are generally welcomed by people 

 of all parties. They may be compared to those benevolent and 

 amiable individuals, who, amidst the tumult and mutual irritations 

 of discordant friends, kindly step in to reconcile them to each 

 other, by leading the discourse to subjects of less moment, but of 

 innocent and interesting curiosity ; till the mind forgets its pertur- 

 bations, and gradually regains its native repose and composure. 

 So comes, in these times of general embarrassment, dispute, and 

 perplexity, the peaceful, unassuming pages of American Orni- 

 thology. With little to recommend them but the simplicity of 

 truth, and some faint imitations of a most glorious and divine 

 Original, they may, nevertheless, calm for a time the tumult of 

 the mind, communicate agreeable amusement, and suggest hints 

 for instruction. At least, these are some of the principal objects 

 to which they have been zealously directed^ 



Unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances, which it is unne- 

 cessary to recapitulate, and over which the author had no control, 

 have retarded the publication of the present volume beyond the 



VOL. III. B 



