vi PREFACE. 



For the purposes of the present work I have examined 

 and compared a vast number of nests and eggs, and in 

 nearly every instance the descriptions have been made 

 from actual specimens, in most cases carefully deduced 

 from large and representative series. 



At the end of the volume I have added two Appen- 

 dices, one containing a list of those species which have 

 a just right to be ranked as British, but whose eggs, 

 nests, and habits during the breeding season are as yet 

 unknown to science ; the other a list of doubtful British 

 species. I sincerely trust that the above proportionately 

 somewhat long list of birds whose eggs are unknown 

 will speedily decrease ; for in this direction lies some 

 of the most attractive and important work yet to be 

 accomplished in the field of British Oology. 



Charles Dixon. 



