XU PREFACE. 



terns, vol. iii. p. 4^56. A fine adult male, killed in Lincoln- 

 shire in the winter of 1841, has lately been obtained by Mr. 

 Bond for his own collection. 



Having thus concluded this History of British Birds, I 

 may add my hope that throughout the work I have in all 

 cases acknowledged the sources from which I derived the 

 various particulars that have conduced so largely to give a 

 character to these volumes ; and I beg to return my sincere 

 thanks to all contributors for the very numerous and interest- 

 ing communications with which I have been so generously 

 supplied. 



To Mr. Alexander Fussell, for the ability, invention, and 

 good taste which have enabled him to give truth of character, 

 variety, and effect to nearly five hundred of the drawings on 

 wood here employed, my best acknowledgments are due ; and 

 more particularly so to Mr. John Thompson and his sons, for 

 the skill, the zeal, the success, and I may add the pleasure, 

 with which they have laboured throughout this very long 

 series of engravings ; while the attractive appearance of the 

 work has been greatly increased by the care and attention 

 bestowed on the printing, at the establishment of Messrs. 

 Bentley, Wilson, and Fley. 



Lastly, T beg to express my gratification, and record my 

 grateful thanks to all my liberal friends and subscribers 

 for the encouraging opinions, and the valuable support, with 

 which these volumes have been favoured. 



Ryder Street, St. James's, 

 3rd May, 1843. 



