P R E F A C E .
The limited knowledge possessed by Ornithologists generally o f the t a l l y constituting tills
Monograph -th e beautiful and varied plumage o f the different species, together .with a desire
to contribute something to a branch .of science which is s o . rapidly incensing in the mimher of
its followers, and which relates to one o f the most pleasing.. o f the Almighty's creations, ..are my
reasons, if .any are indeed needed, for .producing tliis .work.
Not lhaAdng visited all the countries in which the different members o f this family are found.
I have been unable to furnish incidents and facts regarding tlicir manners and halbits from personal
observation: but, whenever it has been attainable, 1 have quoted from . « r e n t anthers all that
was o f interest related by them o f those beautiful birds.
The Illustrations were to have been executed by the late P. Oudart, HwiS, Whose long
experience in this branch o f painting eminently «lalified Inin for the .undertaking ; but, alter
having finished only three, he was suddenly called away from his labors, and I was without an
artish As I had given him minute instructions regarding the Plat® befoi-e leaving Paip£| I felt
disinclined, after my arrival here, to communicate my wishes to an artist in Europe, who would
be a stranger to me, lest he might not exactly understand what I desired; and not knowing any
one in America that could bo obtained, who had paid particular attention to the drawing of
birds— moreover, preferring that the Plates should h a executed under m y ' 0 m direction ,aml
supervision— I was compelled to turn draughtsman myself, with what success, I leave others to
judge; only hoping; that when they criticise errors in drawing, or detect the pencil o f the
inexperienced artist, they will “ nothing extenuate.”