iv INTRODUCTION. 



In such a work as this there seems no need to observe too 

 strictly the technicalities of science. The arrangement (I Avill 

 not call it Classification) of the species named is one of them. 

 The ideal Taxonomy of Birds is beyond the range of my vision. 

 All that is wanted in the present case is care not to break up 

 groups which are believed to be most nearly allied : their 

 seqncnce signifies little, and in the existing condition of Syste- 

 matic Ornithology — if such a phrase be allowable — the most 

 ready way of referring to any species is to look for its name in 

 an Alphabetical Index. Then as to nomenclature, I believe 

 that the scientific names here used will offer no particular 

 difficulty, though I have to acknowledge that in regard to 

 several of the Owls I have gone grievously astray, and the plain 

 reason is that forty years ago I did not know the right path. 

 There is little comfort in the thought that others have erred as 

 much, and still are erring. 



As regards the Tinnish place-names, wdiich occur so plenti- 

 fully in the following pages, I must entreat the indulgence of 

 all who are acquainted wdth that beautiful but difficult language, 

 my own knowledge of it being very rudimentary. It may be 

 taken for granted that almost every well-marked locality in 

 Lapland has its own name, and that every such name has a 

 meaning, though that of some is obscure ; but comparatively 

 few of them are to be found on any map, for maps of the 

 country on a scale large enough to shew them have not been 

 published. A still greater difficulty arises from the fact that 

 both Mr. WoLLEY and old Knoblock — the latter especially — 

 spelt these names by ear, and all must be aware that unanimity 



