PREFATORY NOTE. 
The preparation of this book has been facilitated by the good 
offices of many ornithologists. To Mr. Robert Ridgway and Dr. C. 
Hart Merriam I am indebted for use of the National Museum and 
Biological Survey collections, and to Mr. Ridgway for generous 
help in the study of the museum skins. I am also indebted to Mr. 
Ridgway for use of the proof of his forthcoming Part II. of Birds 
of North and Middle America, and to Dr. Merriam for use of the 
Biological Survey records. Dr. A. K. Fisher has given me kindly 
advice at all points and important help by a critical reading of the 
entire manuscript, with especial examination of distributions. From 
my husband, Mr. Vernon Bailey, I have had untiring advice and 
assistance, in addition to the preparation of the water bird descrip¬ 
tions and keys, and a large number of biographies of both water 
and land birds. Mr. E. W. Nelson has generously corrected and 
extended the ranges of the birds in Mexico, and Mr. H. C. Ober- 
holser has rendered much valuable critical aid, while Dr. T. S. 
Palmer has contributed an important chapter on bird protection. 
Local lists of much value to students have kindly been furnished by 
Mr. A. W. Anthony, Mr. Joseph Grinnell, Mr. Walter K. Fisher, 
Mr. William H. Kobbd, and Mr. Frank Bond, to whom, as to all 
those who have helped in the preparation of the book, I would ex¬ 
press my sincere gratitude and appreciation. 
FLORENCE MERRIAM BAILEY. 
Washington, D. C. 
October , 1902. 
