INTRODUCTORY NOTE 



An attempt has been made in the following pages to 

 provide a simple guide to the identification of some of 

 the more common inland British Birds. The aim has 

 been to place as clearly as possible before the reader 

 just those features of size, plumage, note, &c., which 

 will enable him to distinguish the different species of 

 our. common birds when seen in their wild state in the 

 fields and woods. 



The size being probably the first feature to be observed, 

 a list will be found following this Note of the species 

 grouped under different sizes as compared with four 

 well-known common birds, viz. the Sparrow, Blackbird, 

 Pigeon, and Rook. A brief note is appended of some 

 striking peculiarity of each species, and initial letters 

 .showing whether a resident or a summer or winter 

 visitor to the British Isles. 



The same plan of stating the size as compared with 

 ,'one or other of the four standards is followed in the 

 account of each species, as being preferable to giving the 

 length in inches in a work intended mainly for reference 

 in the field. 



I should recommend all bird-lovers to obtain if 

 ^possible a pair of field-glasses, as these, even if only 

 ".moderate in power, will prove of the greatest service. 



