PREFACE. XI 



first time. One of the adder's gullet illustrated a 

 paper in the 'Zoologist' (September 1900) by myself; 

 and seven were published in ' Good Words ' (January 

 1901) to illustrate an article by F. G. Aflalo ; while 

 two (those of a young ring snake and a bundle of 

 eggs) appeared in ' Country Life.' The editors of 

 these three publications have kindly permitted their 

 reproduction here. 



I have to thank my brother-in-law, Mr George 

 Gordon, for the trouble he has taken in verifying 

 some records and for other help ; and my friend, Eev. 

 M. G. Watkins, for valuable aid. 



Lastly, I cannot say how much I have been en- 

 couraged in my work by the interest taken in it by 

 my former teacher, Professor Cossar Ewart, of Edin- 

 burgh University ; and by the aid and advice of my 

 friend, F. G. Aflalo, F.B.G.S., F.Z.S., the latter of 

 whose various books on animals have furnished me 

 with many quotations, and whose valued friendship 

 I owe to a common interest in the animals of this 

 country. 



GERALD LEIGHTON. 



Grosmont, Pontrilas, 

 Herefordshire, July 1901. 



