viii PREFACE. 



the Waders ; hut by this arrangement it was found that the 

 last volume, should all the Swimming Birds he referred to it, 

 would be disproportionately large ; and thus there is included 

 in the present a portion of the first order of that series — the 

 two families of the Anserince and Cygnince, Geese and Swans, 

 containing fourteen species ; — the entire number described 

 being thus eighty-four. The fifth volume will contain 

 eighty-six. 



It is well that the observations from which these descrip- 

 tions have been prepared were made many years ago, when I 

 was full of enthusiasm, and enjoyed the blessings of health, 

 and freedom from engrossing public duties : for I am per- 

 suaded that now I should be in some respects less qualified 

 for the task, more, however, from the failure of physical than 

 of mental power. Here, on the rocky promontory, I shiver 

 in the breeze which, to my companion, is but cool and 

 bracing. The east wind ruffles the sea, and impels the little 

 waves to the shores of the beautiful bay, which present alter- 

 nate cliffs of red sandstone and beaches of yellow sand, 

 backed by undulated heights and gentle acclivities, slowly 

 rising to the not distant horizon, fields and woods, with 

 villages and scattered villas, forming — not wild nor altogether 

 tame — a pleasing landscape, which in its summer and autum- 

 nal garniture of grass and corn, and sylvan verdure, orchard 

 blossom and fruit, tangled fence-bank and furze-clad common, 

 will be beautiful indeed to the lover of nature. Then, the 

 balmy breezes from the west and south will waft health to 

 the reviving invalid. At present, the cold vernal gales sAveep 

 along the channel, conveying to its haven the extended fleet 

 of boats that render Brixham, on the opposite horn of the 

 Bay, one of the most celebrated of the southern fishing- 

 stations of England. High over the waters, here and there, 

 a solitary Gull slowly advances against the breeze, or shoots 

 athwart, or with a beautiful gliding motion sweeps down the 

 aerial current. At the entrance to Torquay are assembled 

 many birds of the same kind, which, by their hovering near 

 the surface, their varied evolutions, and mingling cries, indi- 

 cate a shoal, probably of Atherines or Sprats. On that 

 little pyramidal rock, projecting from the water, repose two 



