EDITOR’S PREFACE 
Tus admirable work by the late Rev. C. A. Johns, F.L.S., which 
is now offered in a new form, has already proved the making of 
many a naturalist and it will be a delight and help to many more 
nature lovers who wish to determine a species without recourse to 
bulky scientific works. 
In editing the present edition I have carefully preserved all Mr. 
Johns’ delightful personal stories and his descriptions of the birds 
and their daily life in their haunts, but Ihave brought the scientific 
arrangement of the species up to date, as well as altered the nomen- 
clature, in accordance with present-day knowledge and use. 
We begin with the Passeres because modern ornithologists are 
now nearly all agreed that this order attains the highest Avian 
development. 
I have rectified statements as to the local distribution of various 
species which, with the progress of time and local changes, no longer 
apply, and have added facts here and there which I considered of 
some value. 
The faithful and beautiful presentments made by Mr. William 
Foster for this new edition have no need of our commendation to 
the public, 
J. A. OWEN. 
B.B. Pe 8 
