2 INTRODUCTION. 



birds, from the shores of St. Laurence, to the mouths of the Mis- 

 sissippi, and from the Atlantic ocean to the interior of Louisiana: 

 these will be engraved in a style superior to any thing of the kind 

 hitherto published ; and colored from nature with the most scru- 

 pulous adherence to the true tints of the original. 



The bare account of scientific names, color of bills, claws, 

 feathers, &c. would form but a dry detail ; neither in a publication 

 of the present kind, where every species is faithfully figured and 

 colored, is a long and minute description of the form, and feathers, 



absolutely necessary This would, in the opinion of some, be like 



introducing a gentleman to company, with "Ladies and gentlemen, 

 "Mr. — He has on a blue coat.... white pantaloons.... hussar boots,^' 

 &c, &c. while a single glance of the eye, over the person himself, 

 told us all this before the orator had time to open his mouth ; so 

 infinitely more rapidly do ideas reach us through the medium of 

 the eye, than by that of the ear. But as time may prey on the best 

 of colors, what is necessary in this respect will by no means be 

 omitted, that the figures and descriptions may mutually corroborate 

 each other. It is also my design to enter more largely than usual 

 into the manners and disposition of each respective species ; to be- 

 come, as it were, their faithful biographer, and to delineate their 

 various peculiarities, in character, song, building, economy, &c. as 

 far as my own observations have extended, or the kindness of others 

 may furnish me with materials. 



The Ornithology of the United States exhibits a rich display 

 of the most splendid colors, from the green, silky, gold-bespangled 

 down of the minute Humming Bird, scarce three inches in extent, 

 to the black coppery wings of the gloomy Condor, of sixteen feet, 

 who sometimes visits our northern regions. ...a numerous and power- 

 ful band of songsters, that for sweetness, variety, and melody, are 

 surpassed by no country on earth.. ..an ever-changing scene of mi- 

 gration, from torrid to temperate and from northern to southern 

 regions, in quest of suitable seasons, food and climate ; and such 



