INTRODUCTION. 



. 



OUR object being rather to furnish the reader with rational 

 and interesting facts, than systematic arrangements, it is not 

 intended to treat the subject of Ornithology* scientifically. 

 But at a period when the education of every class of the com- 

 munity 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 elemen- 

 tary books, ought always to be kept in view, it is of importance 

 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 charac- 

 terise every branch of the creation ; each in its respective 

 perfection, 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 not only in- 

 struction 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 



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

 of birds. 



