ILLUSTRATIONS
The illustrations in this volume are designed to aid the student in identifying birds in their haunts by giving, in color, those markings which most quickly catch the eye. They do not pretend to be perfect reproductions of every shade and tint of the plumage of the species they figure, but aim to present a bird's characteristic colors as they appear when seen at a distance. It was impracticable to draw all the birds to the same scale but all those on the same page are so figured. Reference should always be made, however, to the measurements given at the beginning at each description. The figures are based on the male bird.
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.
♂. The sign of Mars, signifying male.
♀. The sign of Venus, signifying female.
Ad. Adult, a bird in fully mature plumage.
Yng. Young, a fully grown bird which has not yet acquired the plumage of the adult.
L. Length, the distance from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail. This measurement is made from dead birds, birds in life appear somewhat shorter.
W. Wing, the distance from the 'bend' of the wing to the end of the longest feather.
T. Tail, the distance from the insertion of the tail-feathers to the end of the longest one.
Tar. Tarsus, the distance from the heel to the insertion of the toes, or of the so-called 'leg.'
B. Bill, the distance from the feathers at the base of the bill above to its tip.
Note. All measurements are in inches and tenths, and a variation of about ten per cent. from the figures given may be expected. The number before the name of each species is that of the American Ornithologists' Union's 'Check-List of North American Birds.'
INTRODUCTION
HOW TO LEARN A BIRD'S NAME
"How can I learn to know the birds?" is the first question of the seeker after bird-lore. The scientist's reply, "By shooting them and studying their structure and markings in detail," may do for the few who, like himself, desire to know the birds scientifically; but it is emphatically not the answer to give the ninety and nine who, while they desire to secure an intimate, accurate knowledge of birds, will not gain it at the sacrifice of bird-life.
In the present volume, therefore, an attempt has been made so to group, figure, and describe our birds that any species may be named which has been definitely seen. The birds are kept in their systematic Orders, a natural arrangement, readily comprehended, but, further than this, accepted classifications have been abandoned and the birds have been grouped according to color and markings.