PREFACE. 



Of the pursuits of Natural History, Orni- 

 thology is not the least interesting; the vari- 

 eties, dispositions and habits of the feathered 

 tribes, especially when their anatomical struc- 

 ture is also regarded, afford abundant matter 

 for our entertainment and instruction. 



It has been regretted that the want of a 

 concise system of British Ornithology has 

 prevented the diffusion of these advantages. 

 The works on this subject, though highly va- 

 luable in themselves, are too expensive for 

 every one to procure, and so voluminous as 

 to discourage those whom we should invite, 

 and appal the student with images of diffi- 

 culty and labour, when we should cheer his 

 efforts, and smooth his approach. 



The intention of the author, in forming 

 this compendium, was to collect the informa- 

 tion scattered through extensive treatises, 

 and the transactions of learned societies, to 

 state the species which have been recently 

 discovered, and to correct those errors in sy- 

 nonyma, which the difference of feather in dif- 

 ferent ages, or at certain times in the year, 

 has frequently produced. Far, therefore, from 

 aspiring to supersede the standard works, he 

 trusts his synopsis will facilitate their study. 



From the writings of Shaw, Montagu, Pen- 



