PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. 



THE unexpected favour with which the First Edition 

 of this little Book was received the whole impression 

 having been exhausted in a little more than three 

 months might have led to the speedy re-appearance 

 of a Second Edition, were it not for the ceaseless 

 work and anxieties of succeeding years. 



I now venture to submit the work once more to a 

 kind and indulgent public, in the hope that it may 

 still be found both useful and interesting. 



I have not altered the original Dedication and 

 Preface, nor should I wish to do so ; but I have added 

 to the Book the results of some further observations. 



Since the first edition appeared, two important works 

 on Irish Birds have been published : The Migration 

 of Birds, by Richard M. Barrington, LL.D., of Fassaroe, 

 Bray, a skilled observer ; the other, an exhaustive 

 work, The Birds of Ireland, by Richard J. Ussher and 

 Robert Warren. 



To Mr. Ussher's book, and to his unfailing kindness 

 as friend and correspondent, I am, and must always 

 be, deeply indebted. 



CHARLES W. BENSON. 



KARLSRUHE, 



MONTPELIER HILL, DUBLIN, 



2O/// November, 1901. 



