IV PREFACE. 



much time among Birds as I have, ought to know some- 

 thing about them. 



I have endeavored to bring into notice some of our 

 Birds, to which, as yet, little attention has been paid ; 

 which if found in Europe would be highly prized, and 

 I have described some European Birds which have not 

 as yet found their way here ; nearly all the Birds de- 

 scribed I have had in my possession, and I have laid 

 down some plain rules for their proper treatment. For 

 some time past I have been trying experiments on 

 purpose to ascertain what is the most suitable food for 

 them in a domestic state, and the result I now lay before 

 you. If there are any of my readers who may think 

 that my diet is too simple, and that there is not variety 

 enough in it that a bit of sweet cake is good for 

 them, and a bit of sugar cannot hurt them, they are 

 ''so fond of it, to those I would say, that I know by 

 experience that birds are like children, and that the 

 simpler their food is, if natural, the better they will 



thrive. 



J. M. 



