PREFACE. 7 



Although I have been anxious to render the work 

 entirely original, I have oji many occasions been obliged 

 to have recourse to the observations of others. These, 

 however, I have always attributed to their authors, not 

 judging it honest to give them as my own in a dis- 

 guised state, as I observe to be a common practice with 

 men who would scruple to pick their neighbour's poc- 

 kets, probably because they should run the risk of be- 

 ing sent to study ornithology in Botany Bay. I have 

 not invented any new names, generic or specific, nor 

 cleverly appended a " mihi" to the tail of any species. 

 In some instances, however, I have judged it necessary 

 to alter the English name. 



While I acknowledge the obligations which, in com- 

 mon with the world, I owe to persons, such as Mon- 

 tagu, M. Teraminck, Mr Selby, and Mr Audubon, who 

 have published descriptions of birds ; I am not disposed 

 to forget those generous individuals who have aided 

 me in the prosecution of my inquiries. At the end of 

 the volume you will find a statement of facts relative 

 to this subject. 



It remains for me here to offer a few general re- 

 marks, having reference to the study of birds, and the 

 manner in which it might be advantageously pursued. 



It must be very evident that Ornithology can be 

 successfully prosecuted only by examining the internal 

 structure, the external form, the actions and habits, the 



