PREPACE, 
I uAvE been in the habit of keeping a journal of natural 
history since I was fourteen years of age; jottings and notes on 
the habits and description of beasts, birds, reptiles, fishes and 
insects, but especially birds. And I early took to illustrating my 
journals by sketches in pen and ink and water-colours. | As far 
back as 1874 | began to turn my attention especially to the fauna 
of Southern Spain. From that time, with sundry breaks owing to 
my military and other duties, I have lived much in that region and 
during the last few years have regularly wintered there. I realize 
more than ever that it is only by living amongst them that any 
true idea of the ways and nature of wild animals can be got. So 
it has seemed to me worth while to publish this account of my 
life in the wilds of Andalucia. 
WILLOUGHBY VERNER. 
Hartford Bridge, 
Winchfeld, 
December, 1908. 
