PREFACE. 



The origin of this little work dates as far back as January 1855, 

 when attending Dr Day's lectures (by invitation) in the United 

 College, for in one of my notes written at that time the following 

 reason is given : — 



" Having bought some books on Natural History, and finding 

 the store from which the lectures are taken, it is waste of time 

 to write them from memory. I will go on collecting shells, crabs, 

 eggs, birds, and birds' skins, and refer to these books to tell me 

 their names and habits — my object being to collect most of 

 the shells, birds' eggs, and birds found in Britain. Without a 

 beginning there cannot be an end, so I now begin to follow up 

 this pursuit, and, with good health, expect to find both success 

 and happiness, which the mere pleasure-hunter, idler, or gossiper 

 can never realise." 



Another early note of March 1856 says: " These notes are 

 simply a conglomeration of observations and facts which have 

 come under my notice — hastily and without order set down at 

 different times — but, although they may appear redundant, still 

 something useful can be taken out of them, as their intention 

 is merely to provide a kind of store for future use — not meant 

 to be read otherwise than as a sort of granary of facts, to be 

 culled at leisure" — hence this book. 



There is enough material for a second volume, on "The 

 Water Birds" — which may yet appear in print. 



Dean Stanley, when preaching in Westminster Abbey, on 

 "Honest doubt and inquiry," said: " The invectives of Jesus 

 were never directed against honest inquiry — or even honest 



