I have written this book for those who are beginning a study of birds in
Pennsylvania; or for those who, after some study in a certain region,
wish to know more about the birds in other sections of the Commonwealth.
This book is not intended to be a complete reference work. The
descriptions of the birds and statements of their status are as brief as
I felt I could make them under the circumstances. Many species of birds
which have been recorded in Pennsylvania are not even mentioned. These
are omitted so as to simplify the list for the beginner, who is
confronted with a sufficiently formidable array of new and strange names
as it is. All important species are, however, included.
Colored illustrations throughout this hand manual would, of course, have
been desirable, but their cost is great, and the pen drawings are
adequate for field-work; perhaps, in fact, even better than fully
colored drawings which often lead the beginner to expect too much from
the glimpses he may have of birds in the field.
Throughout the manual I have attempted to stress the points which are of
importance to the field student, and have tried to eliminate material
which might lead to confusion.
Thorough, detailed works on Pennsylvania birds are needed. Such volumes,
one on western Pennsylvania, by W. E. Clyde Todd, of the Carnegie
Museum, Pittsburgh, and one on eastern Pennsylvania, by Dr. Witmer
Stone, of the Philadelphia Academy of Arts and Sciences, are in the
making now. But it may be years before these completed volumes are ready
for distribution, and in the meantime our budding ornithologists are
carrying on their studies handicapped by a lack of any sort of reference
work which is up-to-date, understandable, simple and local in its
treatment, and within reach of those of average means. This volume has
been prepared to meet this need.
It is hoped that the ornithological notes of those who use this manual
may be so conscientiously written and so carefully kept that they will
be of value in the final preparation of the larger, more exhaustive
works which are to follow.
I have a suggestion to make to those who would like to make this volume
more attractive and somewhat personal in character. Why not, as certain
birds are identified, color in the pen-and-ink drawings with water-color
or crayon so that they will greet the eye in color as the pages are
turned? The paper used is such that colors may be applied with safety,
if care be exercised. Children, in particular, will greatly enjoy this
feature of their bird-study work. Teachers who like to combine
elementary art work with nature study will welcome such a suggestion. A
book which has, in a sense, been thus personally illustrated, becomes
invaluable to the owner.
I should like to extend a word of gratitude to the following people who
have helped me in the preparation of this volume: Captain George Finlay
Simmons, of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History; Mr. Wharton Huber,
of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences; Mr. Robert McFarland,
of the Mount Pleasant Press, Harrisburg; Miss Evangel Sutton, my sister;
Mr. Leo A. Luttringer, Jr., my assistant; and Miss Effie Riemensnyder,
of Harrisburg.