PREFACE. Vll 



The total number of Mammalia noticed by that Naturalist, 

 excluding the domesticated and naturalized species, as well 

 as all those not met with at the present day, is fifty-three, 

 from which deducting three as of rather doubtful character, 

 there remain fifty. The number of Birds, excluding in 

 like manner the domesticated and naturalized kinds, but 

 including Stragglers, which Dr. Fleming has only briefly 

 alluded to and not allowed to form part of the regular 

 numbering, amounts to two hundred and eighty-one, from 

 which deducting seventeen as either decidedly not British 

 or of doubtful character, there remain two hundred and 

 sixty-four. The number of Reptiles and Amphibious Ani- 

 mals, which are united in one Class, is fourteen, from which 

 deducting one as a doubtful native, and two others as very 

 doubtful species, there remain eleven. The number of in- 

 digenous Fish amounts to one hundred and seventy, from 

 which deducting eleven not distinct from others, one not 

 British, and three of doubtful character, there remain one 

 hundred and fifty-five, which added to about seven noticed 

 only as stragglers*, gives one hundred and sixty-two. Hence 

 it appears that the total number of truly British Vertebrata, 

 restricting the expression in the manner above indicated, 

 described or mentioned by Dr. Fleming, amounts to only 

 four hundred and eighty-seven. In the present work, ex- 

 cluding in a similar way the domesticated, naturalized, and 

 extirpated species, as well as all those of doubtful character, 

 the number of described Mammalia amounts to sixty-one; 

 that of Birds to two hundred and ninety-seven ; that of 

 Reptiles and Amphibious Animals together to thirteen; 



* Dr. Fleming has alluded briefly to several other species which have been 

 included by some authors in the British Fauna, but the claims of these to be 

 considered as true natives being extremely doubtful, they are not here taken 

 into the account. 



