CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS. 



so accurate and unexceptionable in all its details as to meet 

 every case, is considered, an approximation to the truth is all 

 that can be hoped for ; and we trust that, for practical pur- 

 poses and general use, the annexed will be found, on the whole, 

 simple and satisfactory. Whatever may be their imperfections, 

 we can at least vouch, from experience, for their tending very 

 materially to facilitate a learner's progress; and as they are 

 founded on the authority of some of our most esteemed 

 naturalists,* even the more advanced may, it is to be hoped, 

 refer to them with advantage. 



* Chiefly from Cuvier and Dumeril. 



