PREFACE. 



AT the date of the decease of the author of the American 

 Ornithology, the editor of this volume was absent from Phila- 

 delphia ; and it was not until his return that the afflicting tidings 

 of the death of his friend reached his ears. He soon learned that 

 a distinguished confidence had been reposed in him by a nomina- 

 tion to the office of co-executor ; and he lost no time in entering 

 upon the duties of that appointment. Upon inspecting the port- 

 folio of Mr. Wilson, three complete sheets of drawings were dis- 

 covered, which were ready for the hands of the engravers ;^ and 

 that nothing might be lost which would in any wise add to the 

 treasures of science, the proprietors of the work liberally consent- 

 ed that the engravings should be made, and attached by way of 

 supplement to the eighth volume, as a compliment to the subscrib- 

 ers, accompanied by merely a scientific description of the subjects. 



But when the editor calmly reflected upon the nature and 

 object of his appointment, his heart suggested a duty, the per- 

 formance of which was yet owing to friendship. Some account 



* The Great-footed Hawk was incliuled in plate 75, reduced so as to correspond to its compa- 

 nions. But as the original drawing- was highly finished, it was resolved to omit the former figure, and 

 to engrave an additional plate from the latter in preference. This arrangement enahled the artist to 

 give greater effect to his suhject, by the introduction of appropriate scenery. The advantage to the 

 work is obvious. 



VOL. IX. 



B 



