PREFACE 



The aim of this book has been to present the reader with a 

 general survey of the principal groups of modern birds, such as 

 are likely to be met with, for example, in Zoological Gardens or 

 in museums. Of necessity many of the less-known species do not 

 find a place here. A little reflection will show, indeed, that in no 

 single volume would it be possible to give anything like an 

 intelligible description of the 14,000 different species of birds 

 known to Science. To have attempted the task in a book of this 

 size it would have been necessary to restrict the description of 

 each species to four words ! 



In these pages, however, the reader will find a concise account 

 of some of the more important facts with regard to the life- 

 history of the birds of Great Britain and of their European 

 relatives, as well as of a number of the more remarkable birds of 

 other lands, which, for one reason or another, should interest those 

 who, without claiming expert knowledge, have a real and deep 

 love for Ornithology. 



W. P. PYCRAFT. 



London, January, igoS. 



