PREFACE. 



It is under circumstances peculiarly pleasing that I now pre- 

 sent myself to the public. I have accomplished half of my 

 task, having completed the history of the entire series of British 

 Land Birds. The few feeble sounds indicative of disappro- 

 bation, that were elicited by the appearance of my beautiful 

 Cooers and Songsters, died away without an echo, and the rich 

 burst of applause with which my charming favourites were 

 hailed, still resounding in my ears, has inspired me with fresh 

 energy. I am therefore confident that the present volume is 

 in no degree inferior to its predecessors, and hopeful that it 

 will be received with equal favour. 



Several keen observers of birds have, to my sure knowledge, 

 received from the information conveyed in these volumes, an 

 impulse which will effectually prevent them from ever pervert- 

 ing nature by forcing her into quinary or ternary arrangements, 

 or from dwindling into mere describers of skins, and indiscri- 

 rainating compilers of correct, doubtful, and erroneous observa- 

 tions. Of such pupils I am proud, and if my exultation should 

 be held as an indication of vanity, I cannot help it, for I am 

 constrained to speak the truth. Should any man conceive 

 himself injured thereby, I hope he may consider that in mat- 

 ters of science there ought to be perfect freedom of thought, 

 and that a very obscure individual, like myself, may sometimes 

 fall upon truths subversive of theories invented by men of the 

 highest intellect. 



