VI PREFACE. 



habits and customs of the period, hut also as to the scarcity 

 or abundance of certain birds in this county, and their use 

 at that time for the table or sporting purposes. 



" An Account of Birds found in Norfolli." By Sir 

 Thomas Browne, but not published till after his death 

 in 1682. [Wilkin's Edition of his works, vol. iv.] 



This short but most valuable list of species, which dates 

 only a century later than the L'Estrange accounts, affords 

 the means of comparing, with singular accuracy, the 

 present state of the county with its ornithological condi- 

 tion about two hundred years ago. In some few instances, 

 also, we get glimpses of a still earlier period, in the 

 " hearsay" evidence of that most enquiring and universal 

 genius. 



" British Ornithology." By John Hunt. [Norwich, 



1815.] 

 Next in point of date, though after a long interval, 

 this work, compiled and illustrated by the late Mr. Hunt, 

 an engraver and bird preserver in Norwich, but unfortu- 

 nately never completed, contains many valuable notes on 

 Norfolk Birds, and in both the drawing, colouring, and 

 engraving of its numerous plates, exhibits a very con- 

 siderable amount of talent in the artist. 



"A Catalogue of the Norfolk and Suffolk Birds, with 



remarks." By the Rev. E,. Sheppard and the Rev. 



W. Whitear. [Transactions of the Linnean Society, 



1826.] 

 This admirable paper, the first part of which was read 

 before the Society in 1824, contains a complete list, to that 

 date, of the birds of both counties, and was evidently the 

 result of a gradually awakening interest in Natural History 

 subjects. Arranged in a scientific form, its ample details 

 supply many interesting particulars at a time when certain 

 species, now no longer resident, were gradually becoming 

 scarce. 



