VIU 



this country, nearly ten years, (having, during that time, 

 brought over above twenty thousand birds,) it must be 

 quite evident to every person, that I have had many oppor- 

 tunities to gather eveiy information respecting their singing 

 quahties and general treatment. 



I now send forth this little book tho the American Bird 

 Fancier, (with all its errors upon its head,) as well for their 

 information and entertainment, as for my own reputation 

 (and, I hope, profit) as a dealer in this department of Natu- 

 ral History, — hoping it will prove a useful and interesting 

 {multum in parvd) volume, not only to the owner of cage 

 birds, but also to the general reader, to while away a lonely 

 hour, reading the history, habits, &c., &c., of those dehghtful 

 specimens of God's wonderful works of nature. 



I remain, very respectfully, 



THE AUTHOR. 

 New York, March, 1853. 



