" It is frequently a matter of surprise, to those little versed in ornitholog'cAl science, that 

 although we have already several works relating to Ornithology, and more especially to that of 

 our own island, yet that others, apparently with a similar aim, are almost continually issuing 

 from the press. 'Why,' say they, 'should we have the same history so often over?' Now, 

 though this shallow mode of argument appears sufficiently plausible to the ' general reader,' the 

 experienced ornithologist at once perceives the emptiness and the absurdity of ihe remark. If 

 each succeeding author (//i/ tell the same story, surely no one would take the needless trouble of 

 consulting his works. But the fact is, that Nature can never be exhausted, and however long and 

 m'nute the descriptions of the economy of any bird may be, much yet remains to be atlde i. 



" No work treating of our Ornithology, hiiherlo published, has been without its due share of 

 errors and defects ; and, indeed, all that we can ever hope to ach'eve with regard to the habits of 

 our feathered tiibes, is to add as much as possible to their biographies." — (WeiOD^' " British Song 

 Birds.") 



