PREFACE. Vll 



brates which still, after generations of extermination, 

 protection, and acclimatisation, either reside in or 

 visit these islands. Their anatomy, their synony- 

 mies, and their range outside the British Islands, are 

 all to be found elsewhere. The bibliography and 

 list of field-clubs are added in the hope of assisting 

 all who may desire to supplement the information 

 here given by either reading or correspondence with 

 local experts. Neither is offered as in any way 

 complete ; indeed, unavoidable delays in printing, 

 of which this book is one of many victims, have 

 conspired to prevent my including at least one field- 

 club inaugurated since the list was closed, not to 

 mention a number of later works, such as R. and 

 C. Kearton's attractive book, 'With Xature and a 

 Camera,' and Dr Laver's ' Mammals, Reptiles, and 

 Fishes of Essex.' The Right Hon. Sir Herbert 

 Maxwell has most kindly read the proof-sheets, and 

 to both him and Mr J. E. Harting I am under obli- 

 gation for a number of suggestions made while the 

 book was passing through the press. To Dr Arthur 

 Stradling I am also indebted for much assistance 

 with the notes on reptiles, as well as for two very 

 effective photographs of British snakes. 



F. G. A. 



Bournemouth, December 1897. 



