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It is the opinion of the writer, that those who pass through life without stopping to admire the beauty, organization, melody, or habits of Birds, rob themselves of a very great share of the pleasures of existence. In spring, when Nature has recovered from the chilling blasts of winter, and again puts forth her rich foliage, what can be more delightful than to listen to the rich melody of our songsters, robed in their nuptial plumage, perched on the branch of the rich magnolia, arranging their splendid attire with studied care, as if jealous that the swelling buds would put forth blossoms that would rival them in beauty? Joyous indeed is it to watch the gay Humming Bird sporting around the fragrant honeysuckle, fearless of man, as if conscious of its innocence-little knowing that its small but brilliant body is more highly prized by him than the cumbrous form of the Vulture, here. sipping the dew-drops made fragrant through the agency of the rose-there probing the peony to extract its insect prey, or hovering round the closed bud of the lily, impatiently waiting for the unfolding of its swelling leaflets, to revel in its luxuriance?

The Water Birds, though not possessed of the bright plumage and sweetly-toned voice of the gaily-attired minstrels confined to the land, have their charms. Pleasing is it when invited by the invigor ating breeze, to visit the sea-shore-or perchance, when rambling along the borders of our great lakes, to mark how beautifully the providence of Nature is developed in the well-adapted forms to the habits of the " Water Fowl," and also to observe the regular order in which large flocks move when hastening, at the approach of winter, to a more genial clime-from whence, in early spring, they return to the "great nursery" at the North. It is also interesting to notice the various shades of plumage, from the gay Summer Duck to the sombre Surf Duck, each tinge, spot, and line showing superior intelligence; but in this, like all other parts of Creation, man, with his boasted knowledge, knows nothing of first causes.

Some species frequent the still ponds and shady creeks; others pass their time at sea; while many crowd our bays and harbors, contributing to our support. Some feed on shelly molusca; others subsist chiefly on vegetables; and many regale themselves on finned prey.

The great changes which birds undergo until they arrive at full and mature plumage, as well as the various changes the adults are subjected to from Spring to Autumn, teaches us that plumage is not at all times the best criterion for specific characters. Therefore the writer would urge the importance of paying attention to the bills, tarsi and feet, which, with the habits and notes, are certain characters.

The plumage first engages the attention of the student. This should be examined during Spring, when most of our birds appear in full and decided dress, and the notes of all our Song Birds are frequent and clearly expressed. The next is their habits, which, in some cases the peculiarities are so difficult to describe, that in a written description of closely-allied species, there may appear but a trifling difference; yet to a close observer, the manners and customs peculiar to certain species, the mode of building their nests, their eggs, &c., are sufficient of themselves to form distinctive characters. In Autumn, when those which have passed on to other districts to breed, return with their young, in whatever livery they may then appear, the species may be determined to a certainty by recognizing its peculiar note; which, in but very few instances, can be intelligibly communicated by syllables. In other words, the place to study Ornithology is in the open air, while rambling through the woods and fields, following the water-courses; and by frequenting the sea-shore and interior lakes-thus studying from Nature, the best of all preceptors. With those species which are of exceedingly rare occurrence, and the habits of which you have had no opportunity of observing, or tracing the plumage in its dif ferent stages, the formation of the bills, tarsi, feet, and toes, will assist in defining closely-allied species.

Those closet Naturalists, who study altogether from dried specimens, are merely theorists. Such a course may serve to amuse the student who is content with acquiring only the classifi cation of this beautiful and highly interesting part of the animal creation, of the habits and abode of which, he knows nothing practically; to such, the poetry of Ornithology is entirely lost.

The descriptions of plumage I have taken from a collection now before me, comprising, with but few exceptions, all those species figured by Mr. Audubon in his great, and to our country, highly creditable work on the "Birds of America," the majority of the species having been procured by my own hand. Should I, from the plain manner in which I have endeavored to point out the specific characters of those procured on Long Island, as well as by placing within reach of those who are in daily use of the gun, a simple Book of Reference, be instrumental in adding to our already large Fauna, or acquire a further knowledge of the habits of those species which with us are but little known, the purpose of the writer will be accomplished.

In preparing a list of the Birds of Long Island, I have studiously avoided introducing any species that I have not met with, or received from the very best authority an intimation of its occurrence in our locality. In speaking of the migrations and habits of species for which my opportunities for observation have been very limited, I have had recourse to the works of various authors, none of which have been more closely consulted than the highly instructive pages of Wilson and Audubon. In comparing specimens in various stages of plumage, I have enjoyed the privilege of the valuable Cabinets of Messrs. Bell, Lawrence, and Brasher, who, from their Ornithological acquirements, as well as their acquaintance with the locality with which we are engaged, have contribut ed much valuable information. J. P. GIRAUD, JR. !

New-York, June, 1843.

TABLE

OF

FAMILY, GENERA, AND SPECIES OF THE BIRDS OF LONG ISLAND, (ARRANGED ACCORDING TO THE CLASSIFICATION OF AUDUBON.)

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