X PIIEFACE. 



I am very sensible many excellent writers of provincial 

 natural history, as Borlase, and others, have not inclined to 

 be fettered with system. I likewise imagine many readers 

 would rather see a work of this kind unconfined by it ; but as 

 the following sheets were not only designed to inform the dis- 

 tant reader, but likewise as a directory to persons of curiosity 

 residing here, and who may have an opportunity to make ad- 

 ditional observations, but who have it not in their power either 

 ■ to acquire other than a general knowledge of natural history, 

 or consult the systematic writers, and for that reason are ever 

 at a loss where to place any bird, fish, plant, &c. especially 

 if it is in the least uncommon ; if this is thoroughly consider- 

 ed, the objection some may have to system will vanish. 



To assist the young Orkney Faunist in classing, I have fol- 

 lowed Ray's System, and have been obliged to Mr Pennant's 

 books for this. For the generic marks I am indebted to his 

 Genera of Birds, Edinhurgh 1773, and his British Zoology. 

 These, I imagine, will greatly assist any person of curiosity 

 in reducing any beast, bird, or fish to its proper class, order, 

 and genus, as the following descriptions I hope will enable 

 him to discover whether any species be already known in 

 these isles. 



What other helps I had from books are generally acknow- 

 ledged under their proper heads. 



I cannot conclude this short account of the following work, 

 without acknowledging the generous assistance I have met 



