INTEODUCTION. 



In taking up the work laid down by Mr. Stevenson in 

 1877, never, as it proved, to be resumed, I feel that some 

 explanation is due from one whom nothing but the force 

 of circumstances would have induced to undertake the 

 task. I was painfully conscious of the difficulties I had 

 to encounter in following one so gifted with the innate 

 faculty of observation and possessed of so pleasing a 

 style of imparting the great store of information accu- 

 mulated thereby. Nothing but the reproach that such 

 a work should remain unfinished, and his expressed wish 

 conveyed to me by his family, and above all the generous 

 offers of assistance from friends, many of whom had 

 already contributed largely to the preceding volumes, 

 would have induced me to make the attempt of which 

 I now present the result. 



I may at once say that I have neither leisure for the 

 necessary outdoor observation, nor the literary ability to 

 enable me to continue the charming life-histories with 

 which Mr. Stevenson has in so many cases furnished us. 

 I have, therefore, been much less ambitious in my aim, 

 and have confined myself as strictly as possible to the 

 story of each species as a Norfolk bird ; in some 

 instances, where they are rare or local, or possess 

 particular interest from other causes, I have entered 

 rather more fully into detail, especially where the bird is 



