PREFACE ix 



The illustrations which adorn many of the following 

 pages have been drawn by my friend, Mr. Charles Whymper, 

 to whom my best thanks are due for the very satisfactory 

 manner in which the work entrusted to his care has been 

 performed. I also desire to acknowledge here the kindness 

 of Dr. Sclater, F.E.S., who gave me permission, on behalf of 

 the British Ornithologists' Union, to include in this work the 

 drawing of the St. Kilda Wren, which appeared originally in 

 the This. 



In submitting this my third volume of bird -life to the 

 reader's notice, it is with the most sincere and earnest wish 

 that he may be led into the wild and beautiful scenes these 

 birds frequent. He who follows the bird into its varied and 

 diversified haunts in quest of information need never know a 

 dull or a heavy moment. Let not the reader rest content 

 with what others tell him ; let him go out into the w^oods 

 and fields, and see and hear these wonderful sights and songs 

 for himself. To have pointed out the way thither will be the 

 source of my greatest gratification. 



CHAKLES DIXON. 



