PREFATORY NOTE. 
S OUR supervision relates to the species found in North America, we have 
adopted the classification which has the approval of American Ornithologists, 
that embraced by the Bulletin of the Smithsonian Institution, prepared by Mr. 
Ridgway, and entitled : “Nomenclature of North American Birds.” 
We would here return sincere thanks for the courtesy often in past years 
extended to us by the honored Chief of the Smithsonian Institution, and especially now for 
the privilege of presenting Mr. Ridgway’ s valuable paper. 
The names of Audubon, Wilson, Nuttall, as well as of several ornithologists of the 
present time, will appear frequently in our pages, as their works are for all time. The 
descriptive text of Audubon and Wilson is classic to the lovers of Nature. 
Since these pioneers in American ornithology ranged the woodlands and sea shores of 
North America, many birds have been added to our Avifauna. Without naming individ- 
uals, we may express the opinion that some of the later literature touching newly dis- 
covered birds on the Western plains and mountains quite equals the charming productions 
that have given those early writers such prominence. 
J. B. H. 
