INTRODUCTION. 
In the commencement of a work of such magnitude, and so 
novel in this country, some account will necessarily he expect- 
ed of the motives of the author, and of the nature and intended 
execution of the work. As to the former of these, it is respect- 
fully submitted, that, amusement blended with instruction, the 
correction of numerous errors which have been introduced into 
this part of the natural history of our country, and a wish to 
draw the attention of my fellow-citizens, occasionally, from 
the discordant jarrings of politics, to a contemplation of the 
grandeur, harmony, and wonderful variety of Nature, exhibit- 
ed in this beautiful portion of the animal creation, are my prin- 
cipal, and almost only, motives, in the present undertaking. I 
will not deny that there may also be other incitements. Bias- 
sed, almost from infancy, by a fondness for birds, and little less 
than an enthusiast in my researches after them, I feel happy to 
communicate my observations to others, probably from the 
mere principle of self-gratification, that source of so many even 
of our most virtuous actions; but I candidly declare, that lu- 
crative views have nothing to do in the business. In all my 
wild-wood rambles these never were sufficient either to allure 
me to a single excursion, to discourage me from one, or to en- 
gage my pen or pencil in the present publication. My hopes 
on this head are humble enough; I ask only support equal to 
my merits, and to the laudability of my intentions. I expect 
no more; I am not altogether certain even of this. But leaving 
the issue of these matters to futurity, I shall, in the mean time, 
comfort myself with the good old adage: “ Happy are they 
who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed.” 
As to the nature of the work, it is intended to comprehend 
a description and representation of every species of our native 
VOL. I. — cc 
