VI PREFACE. 



has been left to the present generation of ornithologists to 

 recognise the full value of the varied and original work done 

 by the last named naturalist. Not that we wish by writing 

 thus to detract for one moment from the worth of Yarrell's. 

 publications, for, had his work been anything but excellent, 

 it would have been impossible, even for so good an editor 

 as Professor Newton, to have founded on it that fourth 

 edition to which English ornithologists owe so much. 

 As completed by Mr. Howard Saunders, this edition of 

 Yarrell's " British Birds " stands pre-eminent among the works 

 on the subject. 



There are many of us still living who remember the enthusi- 

 asm with which John Gould set about the production of that 

 magnificent series of volumes on the " Birds of Great Britain,' 7 

 with which his name will for ever be connected. The letter- 

 press may be ordinary, as much of it is, but no one can fail 

 to appreciate the loving care which must have animated the 

 author in the production of the illustrations, and no country 

 in the world can boast a finer presentment of its native birds 

 than is to be found in the figures in Gould's work. 



One of the most valuable contributions to the history of 

 our British birds published of late years is the " Manual " 

 of Mr. Howard Saunders, a model of condensation and an 

 epitome of useful information concerning the Avi-fauna of 

 Great Britain, and it would have given us great pleasure 

 had we been able to induce the author of the " Manual " 

 to write the volumes on " British Birds " for the new edition of 

 the " Naturalist's Library." It was with great regret that Mr. 

 Howard Saunders found that his other engagements prevented 

 him from accepting the offer of the publishers to contribute to 

 the present series of volumes. He has, however, kindly 

 assisted by suggestions nnd advice. 



But there is still another work on the birds of Great Britain 



