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INTRODUCTION. 
birds, and little else 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 lucrative 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 engage 
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 
meantime, comfort myself with the good old adage, 
<s 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 birds, from the shores 
of St Laurence to the mouths of the Mississippi, 
and from the Atlantic ocean to the interior of 
Louisiana : these will be engraved in a style superior 
to any thing of the kind hitherto published ; and 
coloured from nature, with the most scrupulous 
adherence to the true tints of the original. 
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