which BONAPARTE and WILSON had only met with single
specimens. While in the Floridas and Carolinas, my opportunities
of determining the numerous species of Herons, Ibises,
Pigeons, &c. were ample, for I lived among them, and carefully
studied their habits. One motive for my journey to Labrador
was to ascertain the summer plumage and mode of breeding of
the Water Birds, which in spring retire thither for the purpose
of rearing their young in security, far remote from the haunts
of man. Besides accomplishing this object, I also met there
with a few species hitherto undescribed.
It has been said by some, that my work on the Birds of
America would not terminate until I had added to those of the
United States, the numerous species of the southern portion of
our continent. Allow me, reader, to refer you in refutation of
this assertion to my prospectus, in which it is stated that my
work will be completed in four volumes. In whatever other
enterprise I may engage, rely upon it I will adhere to my original
design in this ; and the only change will be, that the period
of publication will be shortened, and that there will be
added landscapes and views, which were not promised in the
prospectus.
From my original intention of publishing all the Land Birds
first, I have been induced to deviate, in consequence of letters
from my patrons, requesting that, after the conclusion of the second
volume, the Water Birds should immediately appear. Indeed
the various opinions which my subscribers occasionally express,
are not a little perplexing to the " American Woodsman,"
ever desirous to please all, and to adhere to the method proposed
at the commencement of the work. In the fourth and last volume,
after the Water Birds, will be represented all that remain
tinents, I embraced every opportunity of forming a complete
collection of the various birds portrayed in my work. Until
this journey I had attached no value to a skin after the life
which gave it lustre had departed: indeed, the sight of one
gave me more pain than pleasure. Portions of my collections
of skins I sent to my friends in Europe at different times, and
in this manner I parted with those of some newly discovered
species before I had named them, so careless have 1 hitherto
been respecting " priority." While forming my collection, I
have often been pleased to find that many species, which, twentyfive
years ago, were scarce and rarely to be met with, are now
comparatively abundant;—a circumstance which I attribute to
the increase of cultivated land in the United States. I need
scarcely add, that the specimens here alluded to have been minutely
examined, for the purpose of rendering the specific descriptions
as accurate as possible. And here I gladly embrace the
opportunity offered of presenting my best thanks to Professor
JAMESON, for the kindness and liberality with which he has allowed
me the free use of the splendid collection of birds in the
museum of the University of Edinburgh. Of this privilege I
have availed myself in comparing specimens in my own collection
with others obtained both in the United States and in other
parts of the world.
Ever anxious to please you, and lay before you the best efforts
of my pencil, I carefully examined all my unpublished
drawings before I departed from England, and since then I
have made fresh representations of more than a hundred objects,
which had been painted twenty years or more previously. On
my latter rambles I have not only procured species notjaiown
before, but have also succeeded in obtaining some of those of