PREFACE ix 



The charming illustrations which adorn many of the 

 following pages have been drawn by my friend, Mr. Charles 

 Whymper, to whom my best thanks are due for the very 

 satisfactory manner in which the work entrusted to his care 

 has been performed. I also desire to acknowledge with 

 many thanks the kindness of P. L. Sclater, Esq., F.K.S., 

 Secretary to the Zoological Society of London, who placed 

 the lithographic drawing of the St. Kilda Wren at my 

 service. 



In submitting this my third volume of bird -life to the 

 reader's notice, it is with the most sincere and earnest wish 

 that he may be led into the wild and beautiful scenes these 

 birds frequent. He who follows the bird into its varied and 

 diversified haunts in quest of information need never know a 

 dull or a heavy moment. Let not the reader rest content 

 with what others tell him ; let him go out into the woods 

 and fields, and see and hear these wonderful sights and songs 

 for himself. To have pointed out the way thither will be the 

 source of my greatest gratification. 



CHAELES DIXON. 



AN EAGLE'S NEST 



IN SKYE. 



