INTRODUCTION. 21 



out of the common, and was rejoiced when my boy 

 and I were able to identify the Wood Warbler, a bird 

 then new to us both, although I had once or twice 

 before heard it sing in North Wales. O si sic omnes ! 



And now let me conclude this rambling Introduction 

 by a few practical hints upon the best methods of ob- 

 serving birds, and gaining a knowledge of the different 

 species we may hear and see around us. 



I. Begin in your own garden, and endeavour to 

 identify from its appearance and song every bird that 

 dwells there. This may be done by the aid of such a 

 book as Morris' or Johns' British Birds^ and, I hope, 

 in some degree by the little book now in your hands. 



At Elm Park, not half a mile from the city of 

 Dublin, I carefully noted the species for many years, 

 and found that our fauna comprised no less than thirty- 

 six species, viz. : Sparrow-hawk, Rook, Jackdaw, Magpie, 

 Song Thrush, Missel Thrush, Blackbird, Redwing, Willow 

 Warbler, Chiff-chaff, Whitethroat, Spotted Fly-catcher, 

 Swallow, Swift, Robin, Wren, Hedge Sparrow, Gold- 

 crest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, 

 Creeper, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, 

 Redpoll, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Starling, Meadow 

 Pipit, Yellow Bunting, Sparrow, Wood-pigeon, Common 

 Gull. 



Birds are, as a rule, heard singing to great advantage 

 after soft spring rain : the Blackbird sings best during a 

 heavy shower. A really lovely summer-like day, with 

 fleecy clouds overhead, is a day of many songs ; but a 

 stormy day seems to be the worst of all as regards bird 

 music. On harsh, squally, ungenial days it is of little 

 use to go out to hear the songsters, unless we are 



