PREFACE. 



The addition of another volume to the extensive hbrary oi 

 books on British birds and their eggs demands explanation 

 votViAv tV>Qn onnloorv.' fnr there if^ a call for a Handy Pocket 



This volume is a copy of the first Edition 

 which was printed in December, 1919, and 

 published in February, 1920. 



Illustrations of the Eggs of British Birds." 



The task of producing and condensing a history of British 

 birds leads to two discoveries — first that the writer is ignorant 

 about certain facts, and secondly, that when the information is 

 sought elsewhere it is often not to be found, or the " doctors 

 disagree.' Indeed, there is still a wide field open for workers 

 on the habits, plumages and domestic economy of versatile 

 birds. It is my hope that these pages will help and guide 

 those who are interested in birds but have not taken up 

 ornithology as a systematic study. 



Space forbids full details of plumage, structure and habits ; 

 fuller descriptions must be sought in longer treatises, perhaps 

 the most up-to-date of which is the " Practical Handbook of 

 British Birds " edited by H. F. Witherby. Further particulars 



