X PREFACE. 



many fresh habits to observe; and, lastly, will 

 have an endless source of enjoyment in studying 

 and inquiring into the life-histories of a most 

 interesting portion of the creation. 



A complete Natural History of British Birds can 

 scarcely be written by one man unassisted ; but 

 by the inquiries of several into the ornithology 

 of particular districts the task may eventually 

 be accomplished, and, at the same time, more 

 perfectly executed. Surely if one naturalist would 

 undertake the Birds of this county, another of 

 that, and so on, materials for forming a Com- 

 plete Ornithology of Great Britain would be forth- 

 coming, and ample details would thus be placed in 

 the hands of some competent person — a future 

 Yarrell — for compiling the work, which would indeed 

 be a boon to all naturalists. 



An ardent wish to see the ornithology of each 

 British county represented has prompted me to 

 place these rough notes in the hands of the public, 

 and it has been my endeavour, as far as possible, 

 to follow in the footsteps of the able authors of 

 * Ornithological Rambjes in Sussex,' the * Birds of 



