PREFACE. 



IT is with real diffidence that I offer this volume to 

 the public. I am induced to do so by the wishes 

 of many of my friends and companions in the woods 

 and fields, who, having received with indulgence my 

 former volume on Highland Sports, have persuaded 

 me to launch another barque laden with a similar 

 cargo of odds and ends. That it should have as 

 favourable voyage as its predecessor, is more than 

 I can venture to hope. If, however, these pages 

 serve to entertain for a few hours any of my fellow- 

 lovers of nature, or if any whose occupations in life 

 are of a graver and more laborious kind, find relaxa- 

 tion and amusement in their perusal, my object is 

 fully gained. 



I do not fear the criticism of the learned ; my 

 flight is far too humble to obtain even their censure : 

 nor do I aim at instructing any of my readers, but 

 solely at amusing them. The scientific naturalist 



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