X PREFACE. 



the Swallows are already congregating for 

 their southern flight; and retire from it 

 (with rare exceptions) before they have again 

 heralded the spring, or the earth has re- 

 awakened from her long winter-sleep. Such, 

 it must be admitted, is not the season, nor 

 are such the circumstances which can in 

 any great degree tend to promote a love for, 

 or conduce to, the study of Natural History. 



But how different is the Angler's case! 

 Not only is an accurate knowledge of some 

 branches of Natural History essential to him 

 who would excel in his art, but all the cir- 

 cumstances attending it the genial character 

 of the season which peculiarly calls him forth 

 the beauty of the scenery into which he is 

 naturally led, with all its sweet accompani- 

 ments, 



"Rivers to whose shallow falls 

 Melodious birds sing madrigals ;" 



the soothing and thought-awakening influence 

 of the water itself, " Nature's store-house, in 

 which she locks up her wonders 1 " the num- 



1 Izaak Walton. 



