3 
In "Birds of Western Canada” it has been the aim to present, in the 
English or vernacular names, as accurate a relationship between species 
and subspecies as is in vogue in the scientific nomenclature, and to reduce 
to their relative taxonomic importance those minor subspecific differences 
that an earlier treatment has unduly emphasized. 
It would be too much to expect that the result attained will satisfy 
everyone: the writer hopes, however, that it will be accepted until the 
American Ornithologists' Union committee take the matter up and make 
authoritative decisions. 
In the following pages the number and vernacular name, which have 
been taken from the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list and modi- 
fied as little as possible, appear first as a specific heading in heavy 
type. Following, in smaller type, are the more common local names by 
which the species is, or has been, known in various localities. 
The latin specific name follows in italics and is always binomial. 
In the treatment of subspecies, species have been treated as aggre- 
gations of subspecies, each of equal rank and importance, and not, as is 
customary, as species with subordinate subspecies dependent upon them. 
The species is first given as a whole, including its subspecific races, and, 
under a subhead, mention is made of the special subspecies that occur 
within the geographical scope of the work. 
Preceded by the initial “L” the length of the species is next given in 
inches and decimals of an inch. The length of a bird is determined by 
measuring it, in the flesh, in a straight line from the tip of the bill to the 
end of the longest tail feather, the bird being stretched only enough to 
straighten the neck curves. The measurements given are those of the 
average adult male and indicate the comparative size of the species under 
consideration. They are not usually for specific identification, as in most 
species there is more or less individual and sexual variation. 
Only an outline description of species is given, and where there are 
illustrations the description is omitted and the reader is referred to the 
illustration. 
Under “Distinctions” an attempt is made to bring out the salient 
points by which the species, when in hand, may be separated from other 
similar forms. In this the work of other authorities has been freely 
drawn upon to supplement the writer’s observations. Many of the dis- 
tinctive points are naturally only superficial, but all are, as far as possible, 
reliable. 
Under the head “Field Marks” the features by which the species may 
be recognized in life are mentioned. In these the writer has been guided 
largely by his own experience and has stated the points that seem to him 
most characteristic. In species with which he has had little experience in 
life he has relied upon other authorities. 
“Nesting” is merely a brief description of the nest and its situation. 
Much of this is drawn from other authors. 
Under “Economic Status” is given a summary of present knowledge 
of the species in their relation to man. Most of this is drawn from the 
admirable work done by the United States Biological Survey. Of necessity 
only a brief outline of the data upon which conclusions are founded can 
be given, and the reader is referred to Ornithological Literature, on page 17, 
for greater details. 
61054—11 
