INTRODUCTION 



TO THE 



NEW AND REVISED EDITION. 



Thirty-five years ago the author did not regard the 

 writing of introductory chapters to the Original 

 Edition of the present book either difficult or accom- 

 panied with risk. But the writing of an introduction 

 to a New and Revised Edition, under the circum- 

 stances of the present time, is by no means so easy a 

 task or one to be lightly undertaken. Then, it was 

 all comparatively plain sailing, with no hidden rocks 

 ahead, or risk of running upon hazardous quicksands. 

 But now, there are breakers ahead in the diversity of 

 conflicting views as to divers matters closely con- 

 nected with ornithological questions ; and, apart from 

 the shoals of error which it may require the nicest 

 steering to avoid, it is only too certain that there is 

 no chart laid down of sufficient accuracy to save the 

 course of the craft from being interfered with by the 

 influence of divers currents of diffiiring and discordant 

 views and opinions. 



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