PREFACE 



IN presenting this fourth volume of the American Ornitho- 

 logy to its numerous and highly respectable subscribers, the author 

 is happy to be able to inform them, that the success which he has 

 met with in his late shooting excursions, particularly along our At« 

 lantic coast; and the arrangements made with the engravers and 

 others engaged in the work, will enable him to publish the remain- 

 ing volumes with more punctuality than it has hitherto been pos- 

 sible for him to do. At the same time, the correct execution of 

 the plates will be rendered more secure, by the constant superin- 

 tendance of the author; and by the whole of the coloring being 

 performed in his own room, under his immediate inspection. The 

 great precision requisite in this last process, and the difficulty of 

 impressing on the mind of every one whose assistance was found 

 necessary, similar ideas of neatness and accuracy, have been a con- 

 stant source of anxiety to the author, and of much loss and delay. 

 These difficulties have at length been surmounted, by procuring 

 the services of two able assistants, whose skill and attention leave 

 little further to fear in this department. 



Among other improvements which the author has endeavour- 

 ed to introduce, is that of printing the plates in colors; an art in 

 which the French at present excel ; and which, when judiciously 



VOL. IV. B 



