PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION The object in presenting this volume to the public is in some measure to supply a irant long felt by those interested in the study of Canadian Ortithology. This work is simply, as the title page states, a, description of the plumage, habits, food, song, nests, eggs, times of arrival and departure of the birds of Canada. The birds described consist of the permanent and summer residents, and also such birds as regularly or accidentally stop in Canada during the spring and autumn migrations, I have in my collcction a specimen of each bird described, except a fen- of the sea birds that frequent the coasts of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The information given as to the food and habits of our birds may probably interest and belefit the agriculturist. The great majority of our feathered visitors arc insectivorous, and consequentIy good friends of the farmer, who should extend his protecting care to these little insect- destroyers. Many of our Canadian birds are extremlely interesting and, in beauty of plumage and sweetness and variety of song, equal, if they do not surpass, the birds of any other country. The arrangement and classification, and the names that are given in this work, are those which have been sanctioned by modern orni- thologists......