The Birds of Long Island is a comprehensive guide to the avian species found on Long Island, New York, written by J. P. Giraud Jr. and originally published in 1844. The book provides detailed descriptions of the physical characteristics, habits, and habitats of over 200 bird species that were known to inhabit the area at the time. The author also includes observations on the migration patterns and behavior of these birds, as well as their economic and cultural significance to the people of Long Island. The book is illustrated with beautiful, hand-colored plates of the birds, and includes a glossary of scientific and common names. This book is a valuable resource for ornithologists, naturalists, and anyone interested in the history and ecology of Long Island.Relatively little first-hand is known of J[acob] P[ost] Giraud, Jr.�������s life, other than that he lived in New York, traveled in adjoining states, had a keen interest in ornithology, was familiar with the works of earlier authorities, and sport-hunted on Long Island. He does not appear in major biographical or bibliographical references. To appreciate Giraud�������s work, one needs to place it into a time-frame. The Introduction to his opus is dated June 1843. Only a few significant books on American ornithology had been published by then. They included: Alexander Wilson�������s, 9-volume American Ornithology (1808-14)John James Audubon�������s 4-volume The Birds of America (1827-38) and his 5-volume Ornithological Biography (1813-39). Thomas Nuttall�������s A Manual of the Ornithology of the United States and of Canada, The Water Birds (1834), and The Land Birds (1840). Giraud�������s contribution followed these major, well-known contributions by only a few years, in Wilson�������s case, about three decades. Further, Giraud�������s Birds of Long Island must be among the very first comprehensive regional avian works. Oddly, it is relatively little known.--Henry M. Reeves.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.