78 INTRODUCTION. 



and whence we would place the commencement 

 of our first era. This is a general work ; but it 

 is important to the British student, as giving an 

 early arrangement of our native birds, though 

 mingled with those from other countries. The 

 whole style of this work, and its illustrations, is 

 consonant with the date of the period of its 

 appearance, and when compared with the beau- 

 tiful publications of the present day, shews the 

 march of improvement, and should teach us to be 

 not too much impressed with the excellence of 

 our own productions, which, a hundred and fifty - 

 nine years hence, may be subjected to even a more 

 severe comparison. The letter-press is written 

 with the quaintness incident to the time, but is 

 expressed with that amiability of feeling which 

 was universally ascribed to the author, and con- 

 tains some curious facts regarding the abundance 

 of species that are now no more, or have much 

 decreased in numbers. Ray's Synopsis Avium et 

 Piscium appeared thirty-five years later, and con- 

 tained a more finished systematic arrangement. It 

 is known to have been much indebted to the 

 manuscripts of the writer's former friend and pupil, 

 to which was added the experience gained in the 

 intervening years. This work is necessary to the 

 student who wishes to trace the species from their 

 earlier descriptions. Some years later, (1731-8,1 

 the work of Eleazar Albin appeared, an illustrated 



