viii PREFACE. 



Tlie Author begs expressly to disclaim all idea 

 of proposing the present volume as a substitute for 

 the comprehensive work of Yarrell referred to above, 

 which must always remain the indispensable book 

 of reference for the British Ornithologist Yet he 

 does venture to hope that he has provided the lover 

 of nature with a pleasant companion in his country 

 walks, and the young Ornithologist with a ]\Ianual 

 which will supply his present need and prepare him 

 for the study of more important works. 



The student who wishes to discover the name of 

 any bird, of which a specimen happens to be in his 

 possession, is recommended to compare it, first wdth 

 the characters given in the Synopsis of Genera, 

 and then to determine the species by reference to the 

 description in small type which he will find at the 

 head of each chapter. 



ElCKMANS WORTH. 



