PREFACE. 
HIS work is practically an edition of “ A Manual 
of the Ornithology of the United States and of 
Canada,” written by THOMAS NUTTALL, though only as 
much of the original title has been retained as seemed 
consistent with the changed character of the text. 
Nuttall’s work has been out of print for several years ; 
but its popularity and real value have kept it in demand, 
and the few copies recently offered for sale were dis- 
posed of at high prices. A new edition was thus called 
for ; but it seemed unwise to issue the work in its origi- 
nal form, or to remodel it to the extent that would be 
required to arrange it in harmony with the new regime 
of affairs ornithological ; for the science has advanced 
rapidly since the “Manual” was written, and the 
changes effected have been numerous and important. 
A new and entirely different system of classification has 
come in vogue ; the nomenclature has been altered and 
trinomials introduced; and, indeed, little is left of 
American ornithology as Nuttall knew it, except the 
birds, — and even of these, two species have become 
extinct, and a large number of new forms have been 
discovered. 
Thomas Nuttall came to this country from England 
in 1808, and between 1825 and 1834 held the positions 
