PRE FACE: 
-——}— 
IN presenting to the public this Second Edition of the 
English version of LOUIS FIGUIER’S interesting work on 
Reptiles and Birds, I beg to state that the whole has been 
‘most carefully revised, and where alterations and additions 
have been made, my object has been that the style and 
matter should be suited to the present state of general 
knowledge, and that all classes should be able to obtain 
useful information and amusement from the pages which I 
have again the honour and pleasure of presenting to them. 
On originally commeacing my undertaking I was not 
aware of the immensity of the labour to be done, and fear 
that I must have relinquished my arduous task but for the 
kind encouragement of FRANK BUCKLAND, Esq., Inspector 
of Salmon Fisheries, and HENRY LEE, Esq., F.L.S., F.G.S., 
&c., to both of whom I return my sincere thanks. 
PARKER GILLMORE 
(‘‘ UBIQUE”’). 
