AUTHOR S PREFACE. 



that it may contribute more and more to the love of that 

 class of attractive creatures with which the Creator has 

 adorned the earth, and w^hich sing His praises so melo- 

 diously and unceasingly ! 



THIRD EDITION. 



A NEW edition of my Natural History of Cage Birds 

 having been called for, 1 have made many additions and 

 improvements in the w^ork, as will appear on comparison. 

 Some have alleged that I have been too diffuse in my 

 descriptions, and others find fault that I have introduced 

 birds difficult to tame, such as the gold-crested wren and 

 the common wren. In the latter case, at least, the most 

 ample details are excusable, as the birds require more care; 

 yet I know several amateurs who always have one or two 

 wrens flying about a room, or in a cage, and to let loose so 

 delicate a little bird as the gold-crested wren always gives 

 great pleasure. Besides, the minutest detail can never, in 

 such cases, do any harm. I have likewise added some 

 foreign birds, several of which have been but recently 

 introduced in this country by bird dealers. 



Dreissackeh, 

 November, \H2. 



