THE BIRD. 



loto tjjc iiut^or teas leb fo fijc Stubn of |Tatuvt. 



/ii^^f^S^^^C- my faithful friend, the Public, who has listened 

 ' ' ' i^ j"S2\ ^^ ^^® ^*^^' ^*^ ^*^^o ^ period without disfavour, I 

 ^ ,.sr!!< owe a confession of the peculiar circumstances 

 C^^y^-^-r- which, while not leading me altogether astray 

 from history, have induced me to devote myself 

 to the natural sciences. 



'■^'i^ The book which 1 now publish may be described as 



the offspring of the domestic circle and the home fireside. It is from 

 our houi's of rest> our afternoon conversations, our winter readings, 

 our summer gossips, that this book, if it be a book, has been 

 gradually evolved. 



Two studious persons, naturally reunited after a day's toil, put 

 together their gleanings, and refreshed their hearts by this closing 

 evening feast. 



Am I saying that we have had no other assistance ? To make 



