vi PREFACE. 



tension and precision to what he considers confined and in- 

 definite. As in the first volume, I have in this described 

 the objects as I have seen and examined them, always distin- 

 guishing from my own observations those for which I am in- 

 debted to others, and generally preferring notices transmitted 

 to me by friends on whose accuracy I place reliance, to pub- 

 lished accounts, when both referred to the same subjects, but 

 also extracting useful observations from all accessible sources. 



Judging from the reports of most of those estimable persons 

 who have done me the honour of reviewing my first volume, 

 and from the statements of private friends, I must conclude 

 that the Lessons in Practical Ornithology are generally found 

 as useful and agreeable as any other part of the work. And 

 as in reading the history of our Songsters, to which this volume 

 is devoted, one may naturally desire to know something of the 

 organs of voice in these birds as well as in birds generally, I 

 have endeavoured to describe them in an intelligible manner, 

 referring always to the objects themselves for the information 

 intended to lead others to pursue the same course. 



To the individuals who have kindly lent me their aid on this 

 occasion, I offer my best thanks : — To Robert Jameson, Esq., 

 Regius Professor of Natural History in the University of Edin- 

 burgh; John J. AuDUBOx, Esq., Louisiana; Archibald Hepburn, 

 Esq., Whittingham, East Lothian ; Mr Macduff Carfrae, 

 Edinburgh ; INIr Fenton, of the same city ; and, above all, 

 Th. Durham Weir, Esq. of Boghead, Linlithgowshire, whose 

 contributions in recent specimens, nests, eggs, and observations 

 have been most ample and most valuable. 



W. MACGILLIVRAY. 



Edinburgh, 1, Wharton Place, 

 1st June 1839. 



