The Keys
It is of the utmost importance to thoroughly understand the use of the keys. At first sight they will, no doubt, appear confusing, but in reality they are exceedingly simple. The system upon which they are arranged may be mastered in a few minutes, and you will then be surprised at the ease and rapidity with which, even in large families, you can "run a bird down."
The Key to Families. - Strictly speaking this is not one key but a series of keys, one under each order.
The orders are placed in a natural sequence-that is, we begin with the oldest or lowest forms of birds, Loons, Grebes, etc., and end with * The American Ornithologists' Union is the leading society of its kind in this country. Its membership includes the foremost ornithologists of the world. and is divided into four classes: 1. Honorary members, limited to 25 in number. 2. Active members, limited to 50 in number, who must be residents of North