VI * PREFACE. 



nant, Latham and Bewick, he has often drawn 

 his descriptions ; but in almost every instance? 

 diligently compared them with specimens in 

 his own cabinet, or those of his friends. The 

 details of authors, however, the concise plan 

 of his compendium has often obliged him to 

 abridge ; yet he is not aware of having ever 

 omitted the characteristic of a species. 



Besides the external appearance, this sy- 

 nopsis will be found to contain anatomical 

 remarks. A great proportion of the British 

 birds have been accurately examined by the 

 author as to their internal structure, while 

 others were dissected in the Orkney Islands 

 by well informed assistants, sent for the pur- 

 pose of procuring specimens. The habits of 

 several species these gentlemen also ascer- 

 tained, and some were kept alive under the 

 author's inspection. 



Among his obligations to friends for the 

 inspection of their cabinets and their useful 

 communications, the author desires particu- 

 larly to acknowledge several valuable notes, 

 which are communicated under the signa- 

 ture W. \ 



Park Square, Leeds, 

 July, 1820. 



