By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 115 
labours. To those who care not for the pursuit of Ornithology, 
I fear the repetition of so many hard names may seem irksome ; 
but to those who would learn something of birds, I am certain it 
is no loss of time to gain an insight into their classification ; for 
an acquaintance with this will pave the way to their future studies, 
simplifying what would otherwise be abstruse, laying bare what 
would otherwise be hidden, and unravelling what must otherwise 
be complicated: for (as I observed at the beginning, now I repeat 
in conclusion) order and method are the very foundation stones of 
natural history: we can never arrive at any advanced knowledge 
of birds without them: we may be able, indeed, to detect some 
species on the ground, on the wing, or by their notes; we may 
have some acquaintance with their respective habits and peculiari- 
ties, but till we can place them in their own positions, classify them 
with something of order, arrange them in reference to their 
congeners with something of method, our knowledge and observa- 
tions will be of small avail in teaching us the secrets of Ornithology ; 
and we shall fall short in understanding the beautiful balance held 
by nature; the general connection between birds of the same order 
and tribe; the more intimate connection between those of the 
same family; the close union between those of the same genus; 
and the almost insensible degrees by which they pass from one 
to another, all of which are subjects of exceeding interest to the 
careful observer; and our Ornithological knowledge instead of 
being comprehensive, will be desultory; instead of being valuable, 
will be defective; instead of being useful, will be productive of 
neither instruction nor pleasure. 
ALFRED CHARLES SMITH. 
Yatesbury Rectory, March, 1854. 
Q 2 
