INTRODUCTION. 



OUR object being rather to furnish the reader with 

 rational and interesting facts, than systematic arrange- 

 ments, it is not intended to treat the subject of Ornitho- 

 logy* scientifically. But, at a period when the education 

 of every class of the community is rapidly improving, 

 and when the minds of the rising generation are in a 

 state of advancement, fitting them for that more perfect 

 knowledge, which, in the preparation of elementary 

 books, ought always to be kept in view, it is of import- 

 ance, that even the simplest work should be arranged 

 and founded, in some degree, on scientific principles. 

 We shall, therefore^ commence with a few introductory 

 remarks on those peculiar features in the formation and 

 habits of Birds, by which they are distinguished from 

 other branches of the animal creation ; evincing as they 

 do, that uniform and beautiful adaptation of means to 

 the accomplishment of certain ends, which characterize 

 every branch of the creation; each in its respective per- 

 fection, proving beyond contradiction, that as "the works 

 of the Lord are manifold, so in wisdom hath He made 

 them all." 



The visible creation, it has been well said, was Adam's 

 library. There may be times, places, and occasions, in 

 which a page out of a book in that library may impart 

 riot only instruction to the head, but consolation to the 

 heart. When that persevering traveller, Mungo Park, 

 was at one period of his perilous course fainting in the 

 vast wilderness of an African desert, naked and alone, 

 considering his days as numbered, and nothing appearing 

 to remain for him but to lie down and die, a small moss 

 flower of extraordinary beauty caught his eye. " Though 

 the whole plant," says he, "was not larger than one of 



* From ornis and logos, two Greek words signifying the knowledge of 

 birds. 



B 



