To ally Poetry to Nature, to Science, to Truth, and 

 to Humanity — to make her a useful handmaiden in the 

 accomplishment of great, good, and important ends,— have 

 been the objects in the present production. 



The author having lately published Ornithologia, or 

 the Birds, a Poem, with an Introduction to their Natural 

 History^ and copious Notes, which has been well received 

 as a comprehensive manual, presumes that a Summary, 

 in which a more dignified measure is adopted, and modern 

 terms less sparingly used than in Ornithologia, will be 

 agreeable to the Eclectics of the Science ; and indeed 

 generally to those who have made some proficiency in it ; 

 while, at the same time, it is hoped that the Poem itself will 

 not be devoid of interest for the general reader, as much 

 simplicity as seemed consistent with the subject and the 

 style having been introduced. 



Some explanatory Notes are added. Should further 

 information concerning Birds be desired, Ornithologia may 

 be consulted, no Bird being alluded to in the following 

 Poem which is not described in that work. 



A few copies of this Poem having been printed and circulated ^ 

 chiefly among the Author's Jrienas, it has been noticed in a very 

 singular way in tfie London Magazine: six pages have been 

 occupied in that Journal in displaying the critic^s piquancy of 

 remark ; whether he meant to commend or discommend the work 

 is difficult to know, as he begins by calling it a " meritorious 

 production,^' \and ends by abusing it. To all candid and useful 

 criticism the author is ever ready to pay the utmost deference, 

 nay, will be greatly obliged by it; but, to the sweeping conclusions 

 of the London Magazine, he can pay no attention. 



September 16, 1828. 



