Jenyyiis Manual of British Vertebrate Animals. 5 1 



errors have arisen, not merely from the imperfect, but, it must 

 be added, careless descriptions which have been given of such 

 animals, it is hoped that the pains which have been taken to 

 render this portion of the work as complete and accurate as 

 possible, will not be thought entirely thrown away. 



In the class of birds, the different variations of plumage, 

 arising from age and season, have been pointed out and cha- 

 racterised, so far as they are known. Appended to the de- 

 scription of each species [in all the classes], are a few general 

 remarks illustrative of its habits ; more especially those con- 

 nected with locality, food, and propagation. In classification, 

 the system of no one individual author has been rigidly ad- 

 hered to. Regard has been paid to what has been written on 

 this subject by the most recent writers in each department, of 

 all the larger groups, as well as, in most instances, their mode 

 of collocation has been derived from such sources. 



The author has exercised his own judgment in the adoption 

 of certain" genera and subgenera, [and has referred, for his 

 principles on these, to his expression of them in this Maga- 

 zine : see VI. 385 — 390. VII. 97 — 99.] The subgenera are 

 inserted in such a manner, that any one who chooses may 

 place them on the same footing with the genera, or take no 

 notice of them at all. 



[The author expresses his acknowledgements to the follow- 

 ing parties who have assisted him in the fulfilment of his 

 undertaking.] To Mr. Yarrell, in particular, for the able 

 help which he has experienced at his hands. This help has 

 been especially felt upon the subject of the British fishes. 

 Assistance has been not the less afforded him in the other 

 classes. Mr. Yarrell's well-known practical acquaintance with 

 our British birds has enabled the author to detail more at 

 length the change of plumage to which some species are 

 liable, and to correct a few errors into which previous writers 

 had fallen on this subject. The same gentleman kindly 

 volunteered an accurate description, accompanied by mea- 

 surements, of the egg of every species of which his extensive 

 collection afforded specimens. To Mr. Gray, for the readi- 

 ness with which he has, at all times, allowed him to consult 

 the specimens in the British Museum. To the officers of the 

 Zoological Society for similar liberty to examine a few speci- 

 mens contained in their collection. 



[The author is of opinion that] even the vertebrate animals 

 of our country are far, yet, from being thoroughly understood ; 

 [and solicits] such observations, notices of new or rare species, 

 and, where it may not be inconvenient, specimens, as it may 

 be in the power of any of his readers to supply. 



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