INTRODUCTION. 
Synopsis of JBivds, 
93. Sterna, 
Tern. 
94. Larus, 
Gull. 
95. Procellcirici, 
Petrel. 
IVTpvcpa.Tispr 
X'-L C- A ^ Cli 11 0 J. • 
97. JL^ias, 
Duck. 
98. Aptenodytes, 
Penguin. 
99. Pelicanus, 
Pelican. 
100. Phaeton, 
Tropic-bird. 
101. PZoiMS, 
Darter. 
7 
It may probably be expected, that, in a publication of this kind, we 
should commence with the order Accipitres, and proceed, regularly, 
through the different orders and genera, according to the particular sys- 
tem adopted. This, hoivever desirable, is in the present case altogether 
impracticable ; unless, indeed, we possessed living specimens, or draw- 
ings, of every particular species to be described ; an acquisition which 
no private individual, nor public museum in the world, can, as jet, boast 
of. This work is not intended to be a mere compilation from books, 
with figures taken from stuffed and dried birds, which would be but a 
sorry compliment to the science ; but a transcript from living Nature, 
embracing the whole Ornithology of the United States ; and as it is 
highly probable that numerous species, at present entirely unknown, 
would come into our possession long after that part of the work appro- 
pi'iated for the jjarticular genera to which they belonged had been fin- 
ished, and thereby interrupt, in spite of every exertion, the regularity 
of the above arrangement, or oblige us to omit them altogether : con- 
sidering tliese circumstances, and that during the number of years which 
the completion of the present work will necessarily occupy, the best 
opportunities will be afforded, and every endeavor used, to procure 
drawings of the whole, a different mode has been adopted, as being more 
agreeably diversified, equally illustrative of the science, and perfectly 
practicable ; which the other is not. The birds will, therefore, appear 
without regard to generical arrangement ; but the order, genus, &c., of 
each Avill be particularly noted ; and a complete Index added to the 
whole, in which every species will be arranged in systematic order, with 
reference to the volume, page, and plate, where each figure and descrip- 
tion may be instantly found. 
From the great expense of engravings executed by artists of estab- 
lished reputation, many of those who have published works of this kind, 
have had recourse to their own ingenuity in etching their plates ; but, 
however honorable this might have been to their industry, it has been 
■ injurious to the effect intended to be produced by the figures ; since the 
point, alone, is not sufficient to produce a finished engraving ; and many 
