I have been induced to present this Volume to the Public by two
considerations. The figures and descriptions contained in the works
entitled "The Birds of America," and "Ornithological Biography, or an
Account of the Habits of the Birds of the United States," having been
issued in the miscellaneous manner which was thought best adapted to
the occasion, or which was rendered necessary by circumstances, seemed
to require a systematic index, in which the nomenclature should be
corrected, and the species arranged agreeably to my present views.
This Synopsis, then, will afford a methodical catalogue of all the
species hitherto discovered in the vast regions, extending from the
northern confines of Mexico to the Polar Seas, and which have been
described, and, with few exceptions, depicted in the works above
named. Another important object has been to present an arrangement of
these birds, so characterized, that a person desirous of studying
them, might, without much difficulty, be enabled to discover their
names, and trace some of the most important features in their
organization.
The species are disposed into genera and families; and, although the
location of the groups is not such as, in all respects, to satisfy
me, the arrangement will, I trust, be found in some degree useful. It
will be seen that, although I have adopted many of the modern groups,
I have not sectioned our birds on so minutely divided a scale as that
employed by some recent writers. Besides the characters of the
Families, Genera, and Species, which are given with considerable
detail, I have presented a short account of the Geographical
Distribution of the species, and references to the principal authors
by whom they have been described. I am confident that these notices
will suffice to enable the student to determine with certainty any
species that may come under his consideration, and that the
information respecting its habits, which he will find in the works
referred to, will afford him at least sufficient knowledge to form a
basis for the more extended observation which he may contemplate. To
the name of the genus I have appended that of the author by whom it
has been instituted; and with the specific names I have dealt in the
same manner, giving as authorities the individuals who first employed
them, although they may have referred them to different genera. It is
probable that many errors have been made in this department; but I
shall be happy to see them corrected, as my wish is to do justice to
all.
On this occasion I have again to acknowledge the benefit derived from
the aid of my friend Mr Macgillivray, whose general knowledge of
ornithology, and perfect candour, have rendered his advice peculiarly
valuable.