PREFACE 



THE ensuing pages are not meant to be a scientific 

 or comprehensive work on British Birds, but simply 

 records of. observations and sketches made in the 

 course of many rambles amid their haunts. 



It will be seen that our lines have fallen in fair 

 ground with regard to some of our rarer species 

 notably the Kite, now almost extinct, the Buzzard 

 and Raven, which are both rapidly becoming so, 

 the Crested Grebe, Pied Flycatcher, and others. 

 For such advantageous opportunities we are deeply 

 indebted to that ardent and excellent naturalist 

 and sportsman, Colonel Evan Thomas, as well as 

 to his brother, Mr. E. D. Thomas, and his nephew, 

 Mr. A. Thomas. 



To another excellent brother-naturalist, Mr. J. 

 Williams-Vaughan, we also owe our obligations, 

 nor shall we readily forget his great kindness in 

 allowing us the run of his house, whilst he himself 

 was away, in order that we might follow up our 

 studies. 



