EDITOR'S PREFACE. 
In preparing for the press tliis edition of Wilson's Ornithology, the 
editor has adhered to the original text, correcting only some erroneous 
references, and a few verbal inaccuracies, most of which were probably 
typographical errors. 
Wilson, in his introduction, mentions its being desirable, that the 
birds should be arranged scientifically ; and takes notice of the causes, 
that rendered it, at that time, impracticable. In fact, he was obliged 
to figure and describe his birds, nearly in the order in which he obtained 
them ; and was, therefore, often compelled to place together those of 
the most dissimilar habits and characters, and to separate the male and 
female of the same species. In arranging them in proper order, the 
editor believes that he is merely accomplishing that, which the author 
himself would have done, had he lived to prepare another edition. That 
the value of the work is thus much enhanced, is too evident to require 
comment. 
The classification of Latham having been adopted by Wilson, has 
been followed by the editor, not because he considers it the best, but for 
the reason just mentioned ; and also because there has not been any 
arrangement, hitherto proposed, entirely free from objections. In the 
notes, however, the most important recent improvements in classification 
have been pointed out ; the errors committed by Wilson, in consequence 
of his not being able to procure specimens for comparison, and books 
for reference, have been corrected ; and additional synonymes given. 
For these improvements, the editor must acknowledge himself to be, in 
great measure, indebted to the " Observations on the Nomenclature of 
(vii) 
