It is the specimens, however, not the labels, which warrant the publication of this little volume, for I hope that, like their prototypes in the American Museum, they will be a means of acquainting us with "the most eloquent expressions of Nature's beauty, joy and freedom," and thereby add to our lives a resource of incalculable value.
While the birds in the cases are small, they are drawn and reproduced with such accuracy that no essential detail of color or form is lost. Above all, they have the rare merit of being all drawn to nearly the same scale. One will soon learn therefore to measure the proportions of unknown birds by comparison with those with which one is familiar, and since relative size is the most obvious character in naming birds in nature, this is a feature of the first importance.
The student is strongly urged first, to become thoroughly familiar with the 'map' of a bird given in the frontispiece: second, to use an opera- or field-glass when observing birds: third, to write descriptions of unknown birds while they are in view stating their length, shape, and as many details of their color and markings as can be seen: fourth, to remember that one is not likely to find birds except in their regular seasons: and, fifth, to take this book afield with him and make direct comparison of the living bird with its colored figure. The wide margins are designed for use in recording field-notes.
Frank M. Chapman.
American Museum of Natural History.
New York City.
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
| Introduction | [vii] |
| Birds and Seasons | [xi] |
| Abbreviations | [xxvi] |
| Land Birds of the Eastern United States | [1] |
The Pocket Museum | |
| CASE | FACING PAGE |
| No. 1 Permanent Resident Land Birds of the Northern United States | [xviii] |
No. 2 Permanent Residents (Concluded) and Winter Visitants Land Birds of the Northern United States | [xix] |
| No. 3 Winter Land Birds of the Southern United States | [xx] |
| No. 4 Winter Land Birds (Concluded) | [xxi] |
| No. 5 Early Spring Migrant Land Birds of the Eastern United States | [xxii] |
| No. 6 Early Spring Migrant Land Birds (Concluded) | [xxiii] |
| No. 7 Late Spring Migrant Land Birds of the Eastern United States | [xxiv] |
| No. 8 Late Spring Migrant Land Birds (Concluded) | [xxv] |