PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION 



The first edition of this work was published in 1889, and 

 having - for several years past been very scarce, a second 

 edition has now been called for. To the preparation of 

 this I have devoted more than a year's work and thought. 

 The first section of the book — that relating to the Cheviots 

 and moorlands of the Border — has been practically re- 

 written, and on a broader basis. The second part, which 

 treats of the north-eastern sea-board, has needed less 

 extension, since it was founded in the first instance on 

 long years of solid experience in wildfowling afloat ; and, 

 as herein revised, it now forms, I believe, as complete a 

 delineation of the lives of these wild and scarce-known 

 birds as any one man may hope to produce. 



Since the publication of the original work, a grave 

 calamity has befallen me in the loss of nearly all my 

 earlier ornithological friends, particularly of two brothers 

 — constant companions on fell and flood. This new 

 edition has perforce been written alone, without that 

 earlier assistance and sympathy. Fortunately there is 

 one notable exception, and the same kind eye has revised 

 the proof-sheets of this edition as in the first instance. 



The illustrations include several sepia-drawings from 



my Art of Wild foiv ling, reproduced by kind permission 

 v a 1 



