INTRODUCTION. 
XCl 
as time may prey on the best of colours, 
^I'at is necessary, in this respect, will, by no means, 
onntted, that the figures and descriptions may 
^'itually corroborate each other. It is also my 
to enter more largely than usual into the 
l^^nners and disposition of each respective species ; 
^ ecome, as it were, their faithful biographer, and 
'Ifilineate their various peculiarities, in character, 
ob economy, &c. as far as my own 
^•'Vations have extended, or the kindness of 
may furnish me with materials. 
Tk 
^•'e Ornithology of the United States exhibits a 
display of the most splendid colours, from the 
silky, gold bespangled down of the minute 
^^^ming iji,.fi^ scarce three inches in extent, to 
. ^ ^l&ck coppery wings of the gloomy condor, of 
^*-een sometimes visits our northern 
"^^eions ; 
a numerous and powerful band of song- 
that, for sweetness, variety, and melody, are 
’^passed by no country on earth ; an ever-changing 
migration from torrid to temperate, and 
northern to southern regions, in quest of 
®**‘lable seasons, food, and climate ; and such an 
(iiyg,,gjjy jjaijit, economy, form, dispo- 
and faculties, so uniformly hereditary in 
species, and so completely adequate to their 
P culiay Wants and convenience, as to overwhelm 
