IV. 



my object is attained : my having made notes originally was to 

 acquire information and not to give it. 



Much of what a man knows must die with him at any rate, 

 however much he writes. I believe, however, those who do 

 write, on reading afterwards what they have written a few years 

 before, if they wrote again would find that their writings must 

 contain many alterations, and even perhaps contradictions. 



Such a subject as the present is inexhaustible, and there will 

 always be food for the mind for all beginners to enquire after 

 and to find. 



I do not venture to take the trouble or responsibility of printing 

 these scraps except merely as presents to those I meet with who 

 might take interest in them, and I trust they will not criticize 

 my occasional employment too severely. 



It is impossible for me to exaggerate the amusement and plea- 

 sure I have derived for years in acquiring the information which 

 is contained in these scraps, and these must be taken as the apo- 

 logy for my conceit in wishing them not to be entirely lost sight 

 of. 



North Jcsmond, Ncwcastle-on-Tyne, 

 October, 1878. 



Perhaps I may add a catalogue of my collection, with the dates 

 of capture and states of plumage of the birds in it, which in it- 

 self would show to a certain extent the time of their arrival on 

 our shores and of their departure, and with some remarks on 

 some of them. 



